Frack Check WV » Louisiana https://www.frackcheckwv.net Just another WordPress site Wed, 20 Mar 2024 22:41:35 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Shell Considers Building Natural Gas to Diesel Fuel Plant in Louisiana https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2012/04/11/shell-considers-building-natural-gas-to-diesel-fuel-plant-in-louisiana/ https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2012/04/11/shell-considers-building-natural-gas-to-diesel-fuel-plant-in-louisiana/#comments Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:48:21 +0000 Duane Nichols http://www.frackcheckwv.net/?p=4661

Shell GTL Plant in Qatar

Royal Dutch Shell PLC has under study a $10 billion gas-to-diesel processing plant in Louisiana, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal on April 4th. That newspaper cites “several people familiar with the company’s plans” as saying that the company is considering building a plant in the U.S. that is similar to the Pearl plant in Qatar. That plant converts enough natural gas into diesel fuel to fill more than 160,000 cars a day.

The Fischer-Tropsch gas-to-liquids (GTL) process was invented in the 1920’s to convert synthesis gas, which is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen that can be made from most any hydrocarbon source including methane, into a diesel fuel type mixture of chemicals.  This process, requiring a catalyst, has been under improvement for decades.  Shell has advanced this technology and named their version “Middle Distillate Synthesis”.  The Qatar plant was initially estimated at $5 US-billion in 2003; and, when full plant operation is reached this year the cost may be $24 US-billion.

According to the Times-Picayune of New Orleans, Shell would not confirm that Louisiana is being considered for such a facility, but said that the company is looking at “a number of states in the Gulf Coast.” “Shell is evaluating locations along the Gulf Coast for a possible (gas-to-diesel) facility,” Hasting Stewart said in a statement. “We have not made a final decision as to the state or location. Our evaluation takes many factors into consideration, including an appropriate site, local workforce, needed infrastructure and state business climate.”

Louisiana Secretary of Economic Development Stephen Moret said the state could not discuss any ongoing or potential projects for competitive and confidentiality reasons, according to the Times-Picayune, “We are currently pursuing a number of (gas-to-liquids) projects.” He also said that “We have worked to make Louisiana the best place in the world for companies to invest by cutting taxes, revamping our state’s workforce development system, reforming our ethics laws and improving education.”

 

]]> https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2012/04/11/shell-considers-building-natural-gas-to-diesel-fuel-plant-in-louisiana/feed/ 2 The “Open Season” for the “Marcellus Ethane Pipeline System” Closes on September 15th https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2011/08/16/the-%e2%80%9copen-season%e2%80%9d-for-the-%e2%80%9cmarcellus-ethane-pipeline-system%e2%80%9d-closes-on-september-15th/ https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2011/08/16/the-%e2%80%9copen-season%e2%80%9d-for-the-%e2%80%9cmarcellus-ethane-pipeline-system%e2%80%9d-closes-on-september-15th/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:55:20 +0000 Duane Nichols http://www.frackcheckwv.net/?p=2773

Long Distance Transmission Pipeline

A proposed pipeline project, tentatively scheduled for completion in late 2014, is being developed as the “Marcellus Ethane Pipeline System” jointly by El Paso Midstream Group and Spectra Energy Transmission. This project would involve  “110 miles of newly constructed liquid ethane pipeline from at or near Houston, Pa., and at or near Natrium, W.Va. (assuming completion of the Dominion fractionation facility) to the Cambridge, Ohio area.” 
 
Up to 90,000 barrels per day of ethane would thus be collected for an upgraded longer distance 1,100 mile existing pipeline to Louisiana and/or Texas. An “open season” is in place until September 15, 2011 in which ethane suppliers must commit at least 5,000 barrels per day for at least 10 years in order to participate on the MEPS pipeline.
 
Earlier this year, the WV Legislature enacted and  Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin appointed a Marcellus to Manufacturing Task Force to attract an ethane cracker to West Virginia. One of the task force members is Tomblin’s general counsel G. Kurt Dettinger. Tomblin “firmly believes that ethane produced in West Virginia should not be shipped out of state, but should instead be used as the foundation for job creation and economic expansion in West Virginia,” Dettinger said.
 
Dettinger said industry projections call for there to be about 250,000 gallons of ethane production per day from Pennsylvania and West Virginia by 2014.” The type and size of crackers that have been discussed for development in West Virginia require approximately 60,000 barrels of ethane per day. The Bayer Corporation is seeking to participate in locating a cracker plant at one of their sites, near New Martinsville in Marshall county or at Institute in Kanawha county.
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