First US shale gas shipped to Europe

The Ineos Intrepid, the world’s largest LNG multi gas carrier, recently left the Markus Hook terminal near Philadelphia, US, carrying 27 500 m³ of US shale gas ethane.

The ethane is bound for Rafnes in Norway, marking the first time that US shale gas has been shipped to Europe.

Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman and Founder of Ineos, said: “This is an important day for Ineos and Europe. We know that shale gas economics revitalised US manufacturing and for the first time Europe can access this important energy and raw material source too.” 

To receive the gas, Ineos has built the largest two ethane gas storage tanks in Europe at Rafnes in Norway and Grangemouth in Scotland.

Ineos will use the ethane from US shale gas in its two gas crackers at Rafnes and Grangemouth, both as a fuel and as a feedstock. It is expected that shipments to Grangemouth will start later this year.

Mr Ratcliffe added: “Shale gas economics has revitalised US manufacturing. When US shale gas arrives in Europe, it has the potential to do the same for European manufacturing.”

Edited from press release by Callum O'Reilly

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/10032016/first-us-shale-gas-shipped-to-europe-2103/