tpc group inc the texas chemical maker battered by a catastrophic ice storm last winter reported thirdquarter earnings dropped almost 75 from the yearearlier period amid continuing operational challenges according to a private presentation to debt investors that was seen by bloomberg the petrochemical firm backed by first reserve corp and sk capital partners had adjusted earnings of 55 million for the quarter ended september 30 compared with 219 million in the 2020 period according to the report its net loss was 323 million wider than the 234 million for the thirdquarter of 2020