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EXPLAINER | Shell: One of World's Oldest Oil Companies Shifts Its Focus To Gas
82 stories

Shell: One of World's Oldest Oil Companies Shifts Its Focus To Gas

Scott Detrow / StateImpact Pennsylvania

An antique Shell gasoline pump at an Ohio oil and gas museum

Royal Dutch Shell is one of the largest and oldest energy companies in the world. Shell is active in drilling for natural gas in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale formation, with a focus on Tioga County.

In June 2016, Shell Chemical Appalachia LLC announced it would build a massive petrochemical processing plant, called an ethane cracker, in Beaver County.

Supporters expect the project to kick-start a chemical processing boom near Pittsburgh. Former Governor Tom Corbett (R) pushed to grant the company a $1.65 billion tax credit, spread over 25 years, to help convince it to build in Pennsylvania. Shell already was to receive a 15-year exemption from state and local taxes at the site, due to earlier legislation.

In June 2012, Shell experienced a methane migration problem at a Tioga County well site.

Latest stories

The Shell ethane cracker as it nears completion in June 2022.
March 16, 2023 | 11:17 AM

More flaring at Shell’s Beaver County plant after compressor problem

By Reid Frazier
Construction of Shell's Falcon ethane pipeline in Beaver County, during construction in 2019. Photo: Reid R. Frazier
October 13, 2022 | 4:56 PM

DEP fines Shell $670K for erosion, spills during Falcon pipeline construction

Shell’s ethane cracker is scheduled to open soon and begin processing ethane into plastic pellets.

By Reid Frazier
Shell's ethane cracker outside Pittsburgh, shown under construction in August 2020.
June 17, 2022 | 5:07 AM

As Shell’s ethane cracker nears startup, people are surveying the Ohio River for plastic nurdles

Environmental groups and researchers want to establish a baseline for the small pieces of plastic, so they can tell if nurdles are getting into the river from the massive plant.

By Julie Grant/The Allegheny Front
Shell's ethane cracker plant, under construction in June 2019, is seen from the Ohio River.
Updated: March 18, 2020 | 5:30 pm

Shell suspends construction of Beaver County petrochemical plant to address coronavirus concerns

On Tuesday, Shell said it was keeping the site open while working to limit the potential spread of the coronavirus. On Wednesday, it said suspending construction was in the “best long-term interest of our workforce, nearby townships” and the state.

By Reid Frazier
Shell's multi-billion dollar ethane cracker under construction in Beaver County, Pa., in February, 2020, will be permitted to make 1.7 million tons of plastic and emit over 2 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. Photo: Reid R. Frazier
March 17, 2020 | 5:34 PM

Shell keeps massive construction site in Beaver County site open despite coronavirus worries

Company says it is addressing crowding on 6,000 worker site
By Reid Frazier
Construction takes place in December 2017 at the site of Shell's ethane cracker plant in Beaver County.
December 20, 2018 | 5:22 PM

DEP approves ethane pipeline to Shell’s cracker in Beaver County

Some site work can begin as company awaits other regulatory approvals
By Reid Frazier
October 3, 2017 | 7:31 PM

Enviro group names names in new anti-pollution campaign

By Reid Frazier
August 28, 2017 | 2:31 PM

Shell, environmental groups reach deal on air monitoring for ethane cracker

By Marie Cusick
March 21, 2017 | 5:38 PM

Pennsylvania could support four more ethane crackers, report says

By Jon Hurdle
December 16, 2016 | 9:13 AM

Shell proposes bargain to meet pollution targets for ethane cracker

By Reid Frazier
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