Shell’s Appalachian ethylene complex construction set for late 2017

Royal Dutch Shell PLC subsidiary Shell Chemical Appalachia LLC is nearing completion of the early works program in preparation for a targeted late-2017 start of construction on its long-planned grassroots petrochemical complex along the Ohio River in Potter Township, Beaver County, Pa., about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh (OGJ Online, June 6, 2011).

The early works program, including site preparation and detailed design and engineering work, has been progressing safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards of engineering, with main site construction on track to begin later this year, Shell said.

To date, completed works include installation of 4,200 steel pilings for the foundations of several permanent structures, relocation of an existing state highway, and improvements to interchanges intended to benefit area motorists as well as accommodate trucks working on the main construction phase, the company said.

To further reduce road traffic during construction, Shell also finished building two large river docks for the delivery of large equipment via barge.

Alongside ongoing removal of preexisting foundations and associated environmental remediation work at the site, the company also recently began laying concrete to complete foundations for permanent structures.

Designed to produce ethylene and polyethylene (PE) from nearby supplies of low-cost Marcellus and Utica shale ethane, Shell’s Appalachian petrochemical complex will include an ethane cracker with an average ethylene production capacity of about 1.5 million tonnes/year, three PE units with a combined production of 1.6 million tpy, as well as associated installations for power and steam generation, storage, logistics, cooling water and water treatment, emergency flare, and offices (OGJ Online, June 7, 2016).

The complex remains on schedule to begin commercial production early in the next decade, Shell said.

Contact Robert Brelsford at [email protected].