How Natural Gas Could Benefit Southeastern Pennsylvania The Most

Forbes Energy Blog has a guest post from Navigant on why exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a good idea for America.  Exporting LNG is also a must for Pennsylvania in maximizing the economic benefits of the Marcellus beyond just the drilling regions.

Southeastern Pennsylvania already has the rough infrastructure to make it a LNG export hub with the existing crude oil refineries along the Delaware River.  Moreover, the Delaware is naturally capable of handling the tankers necessary to transport the LNG.

The good news for the construction industry is if a concerted effort to convert petroleum refineries to LNG refineries were to become a reality billions would need to be invested.  That is also the bad news because with natural gas prices currently very low the investment currently does not make economic sense.  However, as the article points out there are signs that may change and the benefits of exporting LNG may soon be too big to ignore.

The conversion of the petroleum refineries along the Delaware to LNG refineries is something that political leaders in Southeastern Pennsylvania have raised from time to time.  Now is the time they should get serious about it.

Philadelphia Based Gas Group Forms

A new trade organization called the Delaware Valley Marcellus Association has formed.  According to the Association’s web page

The Delaware Valley Marcellus Association acts as a new business conduit between gas development companies operating in the Marcellus Shale and the Philadelphia region’s rich trove of potential business partners. Founding members of the association include KPMG LLP,Duane Morris LLP, ModSpace, and Gregory FCA. The Association will foster a spirit of mutual collaboration that we believe will lead to business opportunities and added value for all.

The association will also serve as this region’s voice of reason, promoting responsible gas development and demonstrating the direct positive impact that responsible Marcellus development has on the economy here in the Delaware Valley.

The association will meet regularly to discuss business opportunities and to brainstorm initiatives that will promote responsible Marcellus Shale development. Marcellus Shale players from around the country will be invited to attend meetings and connect with Association members, and inform the group as to current issues in the industry. The group will actively educate the local market as to the financial and economic opportunities and serve as a positive voice in the Delaware Valley for responsible Marcellus Shale development.

Membership in the group is free for a limited time and the Association’s initial meeting will take place at the Union League on June 12, 2012 at 8 a.m.

Seems like more and more folks are realizing that the economic benefits of gas drilling cannot be ignored no matter where you are located.  From a contractor’s perspective, there are countless opportunities in this area and smart contractors will learn how their firms can work on projects related to gas drilling and pipeline construction as well as the construction of gas fired power plants.