Beaver County | Electrical Generation | Energy Companies | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Shell
NatGas Power Plants Fire Up at Shell’s PA Cracker Site
As the mighty Shell ethane cracker plant complex in Monaca (Beaver County), PA continues its march toward full operation sometime next year, another key piece has fallen into place. Shell reports that the 250-megawatt, gas-fired electric plant that will power the mighty cracker was fired up yesterday–all three turbines–and that the facility produced and flowed electricity onto the PJM electric grid. It was “a major milestone” on the way to finishing the now 80% complete cracker complex.
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An analyst writing on the Seeking Alpha investors website confirms our concerns over the potential merger between Marcellus driller Cabot Oil & Gas and Permian driller Cimarex Energy (see 
According to S&P Global Platts, a widening gas storage deficit in the Eastern U.S. is “raising alarm in the Northeast downstream market area” where winter 2021-22 forwards prices are up sharply since the start of injection season beginning April 1st. In particular, the forward contracts (prices negotiated now for future delivery of natural gas) for January 2022 in Boston and New York City are through the roof. It’s pretty plain why this is happening–no new pipelines.
We’ve made no bones about the fact we’re dubious of most so-called ESG (environmental, social, governance) initiatives by any company, including shale oil and gas drillers. But there are many in our industry who have (seemingly overnight) embraced ESG with open arms. One of them is the chairman of the board for DJ Basin producer Civitas/managing partner at the Kimmeridge Energy Management, Ben Dell. Dell presents a vision of the shale energy future like this: There are 10-15 shale drillers nationwide, and every one of them is operating with net zero carbon emissions. What may sound like nirvana to Dell sounds like dystopia to us.
We recently spotted an article in the Wall Street Journal about the prospect of combining horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (collectively called “fracking”) with geothermal energy. The article claims fracking could be used to generate energy with “no carbon emissions.” Green nirvana! At last!! But is this really possible? Is it actually economical? Let’s take a closer look.
OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Berkeley’s ban on natural gas in new buildings upheld by federal judge; NATIONAL: Oil prices snap losing streak; U.S. shale on track for one of its best years ever; Solving the plastic shortage with a new chemical catalyst.