ExxonMobil Chemical Co said on Tuesday that it will build a second petrochemical complex in Singapore after completing a detailed study.

The project is expected to come on-stream in early 2011. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Jurong Island, next to the company's existing petrochemical project.

The new petrochemical project will include a 1 million ton-a-year ethylene steam cracker

two 650,000 ton-a-year polyethylene units, a 220-megawatt power cogeneration unit among other units.

It awarded the design, engineering, procurement and construction contract for the steam cracker recovery unit to the U.S.-based Shaw Group. The contract for the steam cracker furnaces was awarded to Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding and Heurtey.

Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding was also been awarded contracts for the polypropylene and specialty elastomers units. The contract for the two polyethylene units was awarded to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.