CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The petrochemical complex planned for Wood County took a significant step Wednesday with an announcement from Antero Resources.
The company said it has signed an agreement to become the ethane supplier for the Ascent project announced last year for the Washington area near Parkersburg.
Antero said it would provide 30,000 barrels per day of ethane that will represent nearly half of what Ascent needs to operate a cracker plant.
“Today’s announcement highlights one of the important benefits of shale gas production and demonstrates Antero’s commitment to the growth of downstream manufacturing in the Appalachian Region,” said CEO Paul Rady in a prepared release. “We are excited to work with our partners at Odebrecht and Braskem to help position Ascent as a catalyst for regional economic development.”
Ascent will use the ethane to manufacture polyethylene, which is used in making plastics.
More about the agreement is expected to be announced at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the West Virginia Manufacturers Association’s Marcellus to Manufacturing Ethane Development Conference taking place at the Charleston Civic Center.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin joined officials from the company Odebrecht last year in announcing plans for the cracker plant.