Shell seeks ethane for proposed plant
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Shell Oil Co. is seeking ethane suppliers for its proposed petrochemical complex in Western Pennsylvania.
The company said that it will accept bids from Aug. 27 to Oct. 4, 2013.
Shell is still a year or more away from making a final decision on whether to build the multibillion-dollar plant at an industrial site in Beaver County. It currently has an option to buy the property.
The company said securing enough ethane for the so-called cracker plant is a key step. The plant would convert ethane from Marcellus Shale natural gas into more profitable chemicals such as ethylene, which is used to make plastics, antifreeze and other products.
The Marcellus Shale extends below parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and New York.