News Post
Three petrochemical companies may consider sourcing rich gas from Bakken
North Dakota oil and gas regulator, Lynn Helms, and Senator Rich Wardener were among North Dakota officials touring petrochemical facilities in Alberta last week with Gov. Doug Burgum. The trip was to gain insight into how North Dakota might successfully bring a petrochemical plant to the state. The visit was about reducing flaring, giving the state a way to use its excess gas and NGLs within its own borders.
North Dakota is aiming at 90% reduction in flaring, but in June dropped to 76%.
Helms told reporters during his monthly oil and gas production report he would put the state’s chances at a petrochemical plant at 50-50 based on the trip.
“There are at least three petrochemical processors in Alberta that have expressed interest in North Dakota,” Helms said. “It’s not just one company that is make or break. There are actually three companies up there, so that increases the confidence level a great deal.”
“It’s going to be a really useful impact for North Dakota, over and above flaring reduction,” Helms said, describing it as both a true value-added product, and an enormous job-add.
A petrochemical plant would also help tremendously with flaring issues, Helms said, giving the state a way to use its excess gas and NGLs within its own borders.
Wardner added in the Williston area there are salt formations to store gasses, whether it be ethane, butane or propane. He also touted the advantage of having a service company adjacent to a plant that would provide gas-fired electricity. And he noted the competritive nature of getting a petrochemical plant, as Marcellus Shale and the Utica in Iowa and West Virginia, plus some fields in Texas all have fields with ethan and heavier needed to make ethylene.
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