NETL commits to prioritizing natural gas utilization in Appalachian region

National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) said it is committed to prioritizing natural gas utilization, leveraging its capabilities and expertise to identify more uses for natural gas and bring valuable products to market faster, cheaper, and with less environmental impact.

Shale gas is used for heating and power production, while natural gas is heavily used as a feedstock to manufacture valuable chemicals within the chemical industry.

“We strive to bring national focus and coordination to technology development associated with the conversion of natural gas to high-value commodities, ultimately strengthening our national economy and national security,” NETL Director Brian J. Anderson said on Monday.

NETL is specifically focused on natural gas producers across Appalachia that are continuing to utilize the vast shale gas resources in the region. Prioritizing natural gas utilization is an important regional and national effort for NETL as it continues to work on developing solutions for U.S. energy challenges.

“There are thousands petrochemical facilities across 13 key industry sectors within 300 miles of Pittsburgh that manufacture adhesives, paints, plastics and many other important products,” Anderson said. “Successfully developing our own regional natural gas processing and refining capabilities will enable a surge of new companies and jobs and enrich development of the workforce, particularly in economically depressed areas. Over the next decade, we are going to work hard to realize this goal through creating a Natural Gas Utilization Center of Excellence.”

NETL has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in facilities, equipment and expertise necessary to develop technologies that would be too risky or far-term for private-sector investment alone, helping to bridge the gap between initial discoveries and full-scale commercialization in which funding or support often falls through.

“Our own researchers, as well as partners in academia and industry, have explored and tested concepts with great potential,” said Bryan Morreale, director of NETL’s Research and Innovation Center. “But, widespread adoption of these tools and technologies by industry still remains a challenge. We are exploring how to refine these technologies and make them more affordable, which will incentivize large-scale commercialization.”