Shell starts main construction on Pennsylvania petchem complex

The main construction phase has begun on Shell Chemical Appalachia LLC’s petrochemical complex in Potter Township, Pa.

The start of work the completion of the site preparation and detailed design and engineering work. The final investment decision was taken in June 2016, with commercial production expected to begin early in the next decade (OGJ Online, Apr. 7, 2017).

The early works program included building bridges, relocating a state highway, improving existing interchanges, repositioning a rail line, and preparing foundations for the complex.

Shell will now progress to the construction of four processing units: an ethane cracker and three polyethylene units. The ethane cracker will be the largest part of the facility with more than 200 major components and 95 miles of pipe.

Shell also will build a 900-ft cooling tower, rail and truck loading facilities, a water treatment plant, an office building, and a laboratory.

The site will include a 250-Mw natural gas-fired power plant. About a third of the electricity produced will help supply the local electricity grid.

The petrochemicals complex will use ethane from shale-gas producers in the Marcellus and Utica basins to produce 1.6 million tonnes/year of polyethylene.

As many as 6,000 construction workers will be involved in building the facility. Shell expects to create around 600 permanent employee positions when the complex is completed.