Fluor, X-energy Advance Nuclear Project at Texas Facility

Fluor Corporation has announced a new agreement with X-energy to support the development of an advanced nuclear project at Dow Inc.'s UCC Seadrift Operations in South Texas.

Under the contract, Fluor will begin to work on Front-End Loading Stage 2, a critical phase focused on project definition, feasibility analysis, cost planning, and risk mitigation. The company said it will recognize the value of this initial work in the first quarter of 2026.

The proposed project centers on deploying four small modular reactors (SMRs), each capable of generating 80 megawatts of power. The reactors are designed to provide carbon-free electricity and industrial steam to Dow's Seadrift facility, replacing aging infrastructure and supporting long-term energy needs.

The initiative is backed by the U.S. Department of Energy through its Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, which aims to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation nuclear technologies.

Fluor executives emphasized the role of advanced nuclear energy in delivering reliable, industrial-scale energy.

"X-energy's technology offers a powerful pathway for small modular reactors to deliver safe, reliable, and fit-for-purpose baseload power in an industrial setting," said Pierre Bechelany, Fluor's president of energy solutions.

X-energy's XE-100 reactor design is part of a broader push to modernize nuclear energy, including the development of advanced fuel technologies. If completed, the Seadrift project could become the first grid-scale advanced nuclear facility in North America dedicated to powering an industrial site.

Dow's Seadrift complex spans roughly 4,700 acres and produces billions of pounds of materials annually for industries ranging from packaging to medical supplies, making energy reliability a critical component of its operations.

The partnership highlights Texas's growing role in next-generation energy development, as advanced nuclear projects gain traction alongside rising industrial demand and efforts to reduce emissions.