Bakken Oil Train Derails in WV: Destroys House, 2 Towns Evacuated
For some time we’ve covered the issue of Bakken crude oil being transported via rail, primarily because it’s oil from shale (in North Dakota) and because the rail shipments often traverse the Marcellus/Utica region. Technically it’s not a Marcellus/Utica story–but it is related. The most recent news we highlighted is that ND regulators passed strict new rules that require Bakken drillers to separate out NGLs (natural gas liquids) from the crude before it’s loaded onto rail cars (see ND Regulators Pass Rule Making Bakken Crude by Rail Safer). The new rules go into effect in April. The presence of NGLs in the crude make it much more flammable and explosive (if it’s in an accident) than it otherwise would be. There have been a string of rail accidents involving Bakken crude. Unfortunately, another Bakken crude railroad accident happened yesterday–this time in Fayette County, WV. Some of the oil ended up in the Kanawha River, one house was destroyed and two towns were evacuated…
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In a surprise move, two West Virginians have announced their intention to build an ethane cracker plant in the state. Former state Supreme Court Justice Richard Neely and Ryan Cunningham, owner of Charleston-based Cunningham Energy have formed a partnership with a few others and will try to get the necessary permits and financing to build an ethane cracker plant on a 1,500-acre plot near Montgomery, WV.