HC Deb 13 June 1980 vol 986 cc316-7W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether it is economical to adjust naphtha crackers to make alternative feeds such as gas oil, propane and butane.

Mr. Gray

Olefin crackers designed to process naphtha have in some cases been adapted to accommodate other feedstocks such as gas oil, butane, propane and even ethane. The economics of such a conversion depend on the capital costs involved; the cost and availability of feedstocks; operating costs; and the value and mixture of the total yield of products. Yields will vary accordingly to the feedstock used.