Ethane storage may be key to revitalization of Appalachia
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Experts believe an increased availability of ethane storage facilities in eastern Ohio, southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia will attract petrochemical plants that turn ethane into raw plastic, according to the Associated Press.
Incidentally, plans are underway to create two underground facilities to store ethane in the Appalachian Basin. Energy Storage Ventures is awaiting approval of Ohio state regulators to begin construction on its underground storage facility, which will store ethane and other natural gas liquids. Additionally, Appalachia Development Group in Charleston, West Virginia, wants to build an even larger storage facility somewhere in the tristate region.
Industry experts believe there is enough potential ethane production in Appalachia’s Utica and Marcellus shale fields to sustain four or five petrochemical plants. Likewise, they believe underground storage is vital to providing an uninterrupted supply to those plants.
Learn more: U.S. News & World Report > Ethane Storage Seen as Key to Revitalization of Appalachia
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.