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Shell Seeks Ethane For Proposed Pa. Cracker Plant

Shell Oil Co. is seeking ethane suppliers for its proposed petrochemical complex in western Pennsylvania. The company says in a statement Tuesday that it will accept bids from August 27 to October 4, 2013. Shell is still a year or more away from making a final decision on whether to build the multi-billion dollar plant at an industrial site about 40 miles north of Pittsburgh.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Shell Oil Co. is seeking ethane suppliers for its proposed petrochemical complex in western Pennsylvania.

The company says in a statement Tuesday that it will accept bids from August 27 to October 4, 2013.

Shell is still a year or more away from making a final decision on whether to build the multi-billion dollar plant at an industrial site about 40 miles north of Pittsburgh. It currently has an option to buy the property.

The company says 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.

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