Ethane

Beaver County | Energy Companies | Ethane | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pennsylvania | Processing Plants | Shell

Shell Asks Court to Toss Big Green Cracker Suit: DEP Already Acted
October 14, 2026October 14, 2026

Shell Chemical Appalachia wants a federal judge in Pittsburgh to throw out a lawsuit Philadelphia-based Big Green group Clean Air Council filed more than three years ago over air emissions at Shell’s ethane cracker plant in Monaca (Beaver County), PA. Shell’s main argument is simple: the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has already gone after Shell for the very same violations, not once but twice, collecting nearly $25 million in penalties and “community” payments. Federal law, says Shell, doesn’t let a private group pile on when the state is already on the case. Shell also argues the Council never showed that a single member was actually harmed. Shell filed its motion last Friday, Oct. 9, and the Council has agreed to pause the case while the judge decides. Read More “Shell Asks Court to Toss Big Green Cracker Suit: DEP Already Acted”
Air Quality | Beaver County | Energy Companies | Ethane | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Processing Plants | Regulation | Shell

DEP Approves New Shell Cracker Air Permit, NOx Limit Goes Up
September 28, 2026September 28, 2026

Back in April, we told you the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) had once again extended the three “temporary” air permits for Shell’s ethane cracker plant in Monaca (Beaver County) while the agency slogs through Shell’s full Title V permit application (see PA Extends Temporary Shell Cracker Air Quality Permits Until Oct.). At the end of that post, we mentioned a separate permit pending before DEP, one covering flares, the wastewater treatment plant, and “as-built” pollution controls. The public comment period on it had just closed. On Sept. 22, DEP issued that permit, formally called Plan Approval No. 04-00740D. And yes, it raises Shell’s allowed emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and several other pollutants. Cue the outrage from the usual suspects. Read More “DEP Approves New Shell Cracker Air Permit, NOx Limit Goes Up”
Accidents | Beaver County | Energy Companies | Ethane | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Processing Plants | Shell

Shell Cracker Blast: 6 Minutes from Wrong Click to $95M Explosion
September 22, 2026September 22, 2026

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) last Wednesday, Sept. 16, released its final report on the June 4, 2025, explosion and fire at Shell Polymers Monaca, the ethane cracker plant in Beaver County, PA (see PA DEP Says Shell Ethane Plant Fire May Have Released Carcinogens). The finding, boiled down to one sentence: an engineer who had never done the job before opened the wrong valve on a computer screen where three nearly identical valves were stacked on top of each other, and six minutes later Furnace 5 blew apart. Damage: $95 million. Injuries: none. OSHA’s fine: $26,480. Read More “Shell Cracker Blast: 6 Minutes from Wrong Click to $95M Explosion”
Beaver County | Energy Companies | Ethane | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Shell

PA DEP Shakes Down Shell Another $15M for Cracker Violations
September 8, 2026September 8, 2026

Shell Chemical Appalachia signed a consent order and agreement (COA) with the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) last Friday, Sept. 4, agreeing to hand over $15 million to settle three years’ worth of air, storage tank, and water violations at its Monaca (Beaver County) ethane cracker. Half of it — $7.5 million — is an actual civil penalty. The other half is a “contribution” to a brand-new community fund. If that arrangement sounds familiar, it should. It’s the same two-bucket structure the Shapiro administration used to squeeze nearly $10 million out of Shell back in May 2023. Read More “PA DEP Shakes Down Shell Another $15M for Cracker Violations”
Energy Services | Energy Transfer Partners | Enterprise Products Partners | Ethane | Exporting | Industrywide Issues

M-U Ethane Faces a 2028 Problem: Full Export Docks
August 31, 2026August 31, 2026

Last week, we covered Enterprise Products Partners signaling a “rate reset” on ATEX, the ethane pipeline that carries Marcellus/Utica ethane to Mont Belvieu (see Enterprise Signals ‘Rate Reset’ on ATEX M-U Ethane Pipeline). We ended that post with an open question: East Daley Analytics has argued the era of cheap ethane is ending as export terminals and new crackers soak up supply, and if ethane prices rise, the tariff problem partly solves itself. East Daley’s August production webinar takes a swing at that question — and the answer is complicated. The firm expects U.S. ethane exports to roughly double by the end of 2028. It also expects the export docks to run out of room in January 2028. Read More “M-U Ethane Faces a 2028 Problem: Full Export Docks”
Energy Services | Enterprise Products Partners | Ethane | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines

Enterprise Signals ‘Rate Reset’ on ATEX M-U Ethane Pipeline
August 26, 2026August 26, 2026

The single most important piece of pipe for Marcellus/Utica wet gas drillers is about to get a lot cheaper to use — and Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) just said so out loud. On its second quarter earnings call, EPD told analysts that the tolls it charges on ATEX, the 1,230-mile ethane pipeline running from Washington County, PA to Mont Belvieu, TX, now often cost more than the ethane moving through it. Enterprise executive Justin Kreider put it plainly: “There is going to be some degree of a rate reset.” A new analysis from East Daley Analytics puts numbers behind that comment — and finds that roughly half of ATEX’s capacity comes up for renewal in 2028. Read More “Enterprise Signals ‘Rate Reset’ on ATEX M-U Ethane Pipeline”
Beaver County | Energy Companies | Ethane | Industrywide Issues | M&A | Pennsylvania | Processing Plants | Shell

Four Bidders Circle Shell’s Monaca, PA Ethane Cracker Plant
August 25, 2026August 25, 2026

For a year and a half, MDN has tracked the on-again, on-again saga of Shell trying to unload its chemicals business — including the $14 billion Monaca (Beaver County, PA) ethane cracker complex that turns Marcellus/Utica ethane into plastic pellets. We first flagged the rumor in March 2025 (see Shocker: Shell Considers Selling Beaver County, PA Ethane Cracker). CEO Wael Sawan confirmed it that August, saying Shell is “not the natural operator and owner of that asset.” As recently as May, Sawan was still saying “maybe.” Now we finally have names. Read More “Four Bidders Circle Shell’s Monaca, PA Ethane Cracker Plant”
Delaware County (PA) | Energy Services | Energy Transfer Partners | Ethane | Exporting | Industrywide Issues | NGLs | Pennsylvania

Energy Transfer Sees Growing NGL Exports from M-U via Marcus Hook
May 13, 2026May 13, 2026

Energy Transfer LP (ET) owns and operates one of the largest and most diversified portfolios of energy assets in the U.S., with approximately 140,000 miles of pipeline and associated energy infrastructure. ET’s strategic network spans 44 states and includes assets in all major U.S. production basins, including the Marcellus/Utica. The company issued its first quarter 2026 update last week. ET sees the Marcellus/Utica region as a key source of NGL supplies for its export operations, particularly exports from the Marcus Hook terminal near Philadelphia. Read More “Energy Transfer Sees Growing NGL Exports from M-U via Marcus Hook”
Beaver County | Energy Companies | Ethane | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Processing Plants | Shell

Shell Still Pondering Sale of Chemicals Div., Including PA Cracker
May 11, 2026May 11, 2026

In March 2025, the Wall Street Journal reported that Shell is “exploring a potential sale of its chemicals assets in Europe and the U.S.,” which includes the Monaca (Beaver County, PA) ethane cracker complex (see Shocker: Shell Considers Selling Beaver County, PA Ethane Cracker). In August 2025, during a quarterly earnings call with analysts, Shell CEO Wael Sawan confirmed the rumor, saying Shell is “not the natural operator and owner of that asset” referring to the Monaca cracker plant (see Shell Looks to Sell All or Part of Monaca, PA Ethane Cracker Plant). Last Thursday, during Shell’s latest quarterly update, Sawan once again reiterated the desire to sell the company’s chemicals division, including the PA cracker, but only if it creates “shareholder value.” Read More “Shell Still Pondering Sale of Chemicals Div., Including PA Cracker”
Energy Companies | Ethane | Industrywide Issues | Processing Plants | Regulation | Shell

PA Extends Temporary Shell Cracker Air Quality Permits Until Oct.
April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has extended three temporary air permits for the Shell ethane cracker plant in Monaca, PA, which would have expired on April 28, 2026. The DEP did the same thing in May 2024 (see Shell Cracker Air Quality Permits from PA DEP Temporarily Extended). The extended permits will suffice until the DEP reviews and issues a federal Title V Operating Permit for air emissions by the cracker plant. Read More “PA Extends Temporary Shell Cracker Air Quality Permits Until Oct.”
Delaware County (PA) | Energy Services | Energy Transfer Partners | Ethane | Exporting | Industrywide Issues | NGLs | Pennsylvania

Celebrating 10 Yrs Since First Ethane Export from Marcus Hook, PA
April 2, 2026April 2, 2026

The INEOS Intrepid received a fireboat parade when it arrived with its cargo of Marcus Hook ethane in Norway 10 years ago.

A decade ago, the INEOS Intrepid departed from Energy Transfer’s Marcus Hook Terminal, marking the first transatlantic shipment of ethane to Europe. This milestone resolved a critical surplus issue in the Marcellus and Utica shale formations, where excess ethane had previously hindered natural gas production. By establishing global export routes through ET’s Mariner NGL pipelines, ET revitalized the U.S. natural gas industry and improved domestic market reliability for various fuel products. Today, ethane remains vital for producing essential plastics, and the company is currently expanding its chilling capacity to further bolster international distribution capabilities. Read More “Celebrating 10 Yrs Since First Ethane Export from Marcus Hook, PA”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Beaver County | Energy Companies | Ethane | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pennsylvania | Processing Plants | Shell

Key Issue for Shell PA Cracker: What Constitutes Emissions Data?
March 9, 2026March 9, 2026

click for larger version

Shell’s $15 billion petrochemical complex in Beaver County faces intense scrutiny following new emissions data highlighting persistent operational problems. Since opening, the facility has received 80 malfunction reports and 43 state violation notices. From 2020 to 2024, the plant emitted 17.9 billion pounds of “pollutants,” including nearly 400 million pounds of unexpected emissions during malfunctions involving hazardous chemicals like benzene and naphthalene. Despite Shell’s efforts, ongoing issues such as flaring, equipment breakdowns, and a 2025 fire continue to concern regulators and residents, while the local economy has unexpectedly shrunk since the plant’s inception. Read More “Key Issue for Shell PA Cracker: What Constitutes Emissions Data?”
Energy Services | Energy Transfer Partners | Ethane | Exporting | Industrywide Issues | NGLs

ET Ponders Resurrecting Lake Charles LNG Project for NGL Exports
February 27, 2026February 27, 2026

In December, we brought you the sad and unexpected news that Energy Transfer (ET) had suspended development of its Lake Charles LNG project to “focus on allocating capital to its significant backlog of natural gas pipeline infrastructure projects that Energy Transfer believes provide superior risk/return profiles” (see Energy Transfer Unexpectedly Kills Lake Charles LNG Export Project). Even though ET is not moving forward with LNG exports at the site, the company is considering another option: NGL (primarily ethane) exports. Read More “ET Ponders Resurrecting Lake Charles LNG Project for NGL Exports”
Beaver County | Energy Companies | Ethane | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Processing Plants | Shell

Shell Weighs PA Cracker Plant Future as Chemical Losses Hit $66M
February 6, 2026February 6, 2026

Yesterday, Shell’s chemical division reported a $66 million fourth-quarter loss, driven by weak margins and operational hurdles at its $14 billion Beaver County ethane cracker plant complex. Shell CEO Wael Sawan acknowledged the chemicals business is underperforming, making a turnaround a “top priority” for 2026. Although Shell is exploring a sale or joint venture for the Monaca facility due to its geographic isolation and high costs, no specific updates were shared during the latest earnings call. Read More “Shell Weighs PA Cracker Plant Future as Chemical Losses Hit $66M”
Energy Services | Enterprise Products Partners | Ethane | Industrywide Issues | NGLs | Pipelines

Enterprise M-U Ethane Pipelines to Gulf Coast Increased Volume in 4Q
February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

click for larger version

In the fourth quarter of 2025, Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) demonstrated growth in its Marcellus/Utica (Appalachian) region operations primarily through its Eastern Ethane Pipeline system (ATEX & Aegis) and increased propane demand in the Northeast. While the majority of the partnership’s newest “major” capital projects are concentrated in the Permian Basin, several items were mentioned in the recent 4Q update that specifically impact or reflect the Marcellus/Utica region. Read More “Enterprise M-U Ethane Pipelines to Gulf Coast Increased Volume in 4Q”
Delaware County (PA) | Energy Services | Energy Transfer Partners | Ethane | Exporting | Industrywide Issues | NGLs | Pennsylvania

Construction Underway at Marcus Hook to Expand M-U Ethane Exports
October 15, 2025October 15, 2025

Ethane Crystal

In February 2024, Energy Transfer co-CEO Tom Long announced a project to add more ethane refrigeration and storage at Marcus Hook, leading to more exports of ethane from the facility (see Record High NGL Exports from Marcus Hook, ET Expanding Facility). Fast forward, and construction is currently underway, with completion expected by the end of this year. When done, the Marcus Hook Terminal Optimization project will add 900,000 barrels (Bbls) of refrigerated ethane storage capacity and approximately 20,000 Bbls/d of incremental ethane chilling capacity. Translation: an additional 20,000 Bbls/d of Marcellus/Utica ethane export capacity is on the way at Marcus Hook, near Philadelphia. Read More “Construction Underway at Marcus Hook to Expand M-U Ethane Exports”