Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V. plans to expand the production capacity at its Odessa, Texas, cement plant by 345,000 metric tons (t) to nearly 900,000 tpy in order to keep pace with rapidly growing demand in its West Texas market led mainly by the oil and gas industry. By leveraging existing assets and producing value-added products, the company expects to achieve strong returns on its investment.
“This expansion reinforces our longstanding history of serving West Texas and the oil and gas industry by providing superior products coupled with superior customer service,” said Karl Watson, Jr., Cemex USA president. “We look forward to remaining a top cement provider to the oil and gas industry as well as supporting the region’s growth in infrastructure and residential construction.”
The demand for specialty cement products used in well construction is growing as a result of the use of more efficient extraction technologies, such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Oil wells using this technology typically reach depths of thousands of feet. Specialty well cement is required for the complex application and extreme conditions to which these wells are exposed.
The expansion will utilize state-of-the-art production technology resulting in higher fuel efficiency and improved productivity. The expansion will also include an improved higher capacity load out system, allowing for a more efficient truck loading process to accommodate the region’s growing demand for cement.
