Gas-rich Ohio is in the running for a $2 billion chemical plant

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A giant chemical plant that processes natural gas is coming to the Midwest and Ohio leaders hope the state's newly tapped gas deposits, coupled with growing industries that use gas products, make Ohio the favored location.

 

Shell Chemical is finalizing plans for a $2 billion complex that is expected to create hundreds of jobs and pull other industries and manufacturers into its orbit. Shell has said only that it plans to build in either West Virginia, Pennsylvania or Ohio, three states that overlay ancient shale beds rich in natural gas.

 

With a site announcement imminent, interest in Shell's decision grows keener by the day. The placement of the mega-refinery, called a cracker, could define where other major oil companies establish operations in the nation's newest energy field.

 

"Shell is the first of the major oil companies to make a big investment," said Edward "Ned" Hill, a professor of economic development at Cleveland State University. "Where that cracker ends up could end up influencing the regional headquarters of Big Oil."

 

http://www.cleveland.com/shalegas/index.ssf/2012/01/gas-rich_ohio_is_in_the_runnin.html

We've been following this in the Marcellus-Utica shale thread, which is probably where I'll move this unless and until Shell decides to build in NE Ohio. There are other gas cracker plants being considered, so if Shell doesn't build in Ohio, someone else might. Based on what I know of Shell's site selection criteria, their are more sites available in West Virginia than Ohio or Pennsylvania, but I think of at least one site in Ohio that meets their criteria.