The Woodlands-based Chevron Phillips Chemical has inked a deal with Qatar Petroleum to develop an $8 billion plant on the Gulf Coast in a project that will generate thousands of construction jobs and further solidify the region as a petrochemical and plastics hub.

Chevron Phillips hasn’t named the spot for its latest project but said it would have direct access to natural gas from the Permian Basin. The company previously has confirmed it is considering Orange as a site for potential expansion, among other existing locations. [read more]