Cracker decision by Shell may be pushed back to 2014

29-Apr-13

Shell Oil Co.’s decision on whether or not to build its US$2.5 billion ethane cracker plant in Potter Township may be pushed to 2014, as reported by Timesonline.com. The site is currently home to a zinc smelter, which is expected to be shut down. Shell said in March 2012 that the Potter Township site was its choice to build a plant to convert natural gas liquids from the Marcellus shale into chemicals. Shell will conduct extensive evaluations before making the final decision. Corbett’s prediction that Shell wouldn’t make a decision until 2014 comes on the heels of the oil company asking for a six-month extension just days before the original decision deadline of Dec. 31, 2012.