(97a) Shale Gas Boom - a New Era of Technology for the Petrochemicals Industry

The high activity in the Shale Gas Plays is having a profound effect on the chemical Industry in the U.S. and beyond.  This presentation provides a focus on this activity across the spectrum of value chains affected including C1', C2's, C3's, C4', C5/Condensate and tight oil.  An overview of the technologies that are in high demand will be presented including methanol / ammonia, ethylene / polyethylene, propane dehydrogenation, butane / butene dehyrogenation as well as technologies for other chemical derivatives.  A number of ethylene plants projects including grass-roots and revamps have been announced which will be summarized.  Ethylene derivatives are forecast to benefit from a surge in ethane based ethylene production.  The processes to produce EDC and VCM and an overview of the economics will be included.  The presentation will conclude with a discussion of how the shale gas boom is forecasted to increase exports of key products into the Global market from the U.S.