Butane Isomerization

Butane isomerization is the process of converting normal butane into isobutane. Normal butane and isobutane are NGLs that are naturally produced from processing natural gas and as a byproduct from crude oil refining. The supply of normal butane generally exceeds demand, while the demand for isobutane is normally greater than the supply.

Isobutane is used primarily by the petrochemical industry for the production of propylene oxide. The annual domestic demand growth for propylene oxide during the past decade has been 1.5 times the growth rate of U.S. gross domestic product. Isobutane is also used to produce additives for motor gasoline that increase octane and lower vapor pressure. These additives are combined with motor gasoline to meet the federal environmental standards for exhaust emissions from automobiles

Enterprise has been in the isomerization business since 1981 and owns 3 butane isomerization plants and 8 associated deisobutanizers with a combined net production capacity of 116 MBPD of isobutane. These facilities are located at Enterprise's Mont Belvieu complex and comprise the largest commercial isomerization complex in the world.

Butane Isomerization Assets