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Gas and Power Offerings
Shell has been at the forefront of the natural gas industry for more than 40 years. From exploration and production of natural gas to processing and transport to markets, we finance and deliver some of the largest and most complex gas projects in the world. In the U.S. Shell Gas & Power is a leader in the expansion of the Liquefied natural gas (LNG) business.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
LNG is produced in numerous countries around the world with abundant natural gas reserves.
LNG imports into the U.S. are expected to grow significantly in the next decade, supplementing domestic natural gas production and meeting increased demand for this clean-burning fuel.
LNG is produced in numerous countries around the world with abundant natural gas reserves. The natural gas is chilled to a cold, colorless liquid at minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit, turning it into a liquid and significantly shrinking its volume to enable transportation in ocean-going ships.New and expanded LNG regasification facilities are needed in the U.S. to enable the increased use of imported LNG. These facilities warm the LNG back into a vapor and deliver it to market via the existing natural gas pipeline network. To help bring LNG into the U.S., the Shell Gas and Power business has obtained capacity rights at two existing U.S. LNG terminals and currently has plans to build one new terminal.
Capacity Rights
- Cove Point: Shell holds a long-term contract for one-third of the LNG import capacity at this terminal on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. The terminal has the capacity to deliver 750 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of natural gas.
- Elba Island: Our current capacity of 360 MMcf/d at the Elba Island LNG terminal in Georgia is expected to grow to 945 MMcf/d with the expansion of the facility currently underway.
New Terminal Plans:
Broadwater
Shell is participating in a joint venture to develop a floating LNG terminal in Long Island Sound to offset the threat of future natural gas shortages in the New York and Connecticut region. The facility will have the capacity to deliver one Bcf/d.
Shell also is involved in two LNG ventures to meet the escalating demands for natural gas in neighboring Mexico. The Altamira project in northeastern Mexico became operational in late 2006, and the Costa Azul project will begin operation on the country’s western coast in 2008.
Gas to Liquids
We are using traditional fossil fuels in new ways that increase supply diversity and reduce pollution.
Natural gas used for transport fuels, using GTL - Gas to Liquids technology - is a prime example. GTL Fuel is a synthetic fuel (made from natural gas) that can be used in diesel vehicles.
Compared to conventional diesel fuel, it significantly reduces the vehicle emissions that impact air quality, thus bringing particular benefits to urban areas. Shell has been at the forefront of GTL technology and production for over 30 years.
Coal Gasification
Coal is readily available in the U.S., and coal gasification and coal-to-liquids initiatives can be reliable, competitive and environmentally sound energy sources.
The Shell clean coal technologies and coal gasification process (SCGP) can be integrated with other technologies in the manufacture of chemicals and hydrogen production; and when used in an Integrated Gas Combined Cycle (IGCG) power plant, produce several times less carbon dioxide in syngas than rival technologies and 15% less carbon dioxide emissions than conventional coal-fired power plants.
The integration of SCGP in an IGCC power plant combines efficiency and environmental performance with operability and cost effectiveness.
Gas and Power
Wind Energy
We are involved in wind projects in Europe and North America, with a Shell share capacity of about 550 megawatts.