Shell and TravelCenters of America to Develop Nationwide LNG Commercial Fueling Network

HOUSTON, April 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Shell and TravelCenters of America LLC (TA) have finalized an agreement to develop a U.S. nationwide network of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling centers for heavy-duty road transport customers.

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The plan is to construct at least two LNG fueling lanes and a storage facility at up to 100 existing TA and Petro Stopping Centers branded full service travel centers along the U.S. interstate highway system. Construction and opening of the LNG stations will be done in a phased approach. Pending customary approvals, we anticipate the first of these stations will be operational in roughly one year's time with a priority to develop the main trucking corridors to provide the potential for the first-ever coast-to-coast LNG-fueled commercial transport network.

"Shell is investing now in the infrastructure that will bring this innovative, cost-competitive and environmentally beneficial fuel to our customers", said Elen Phillips, Vice President, Shell Fuels Sales & Marketing Americas. "We are leveraging our strength as an integrated company to produce, liquefy, distribute and commercialize natural gas in transport - and TravelCenters of America is the ideal partner to help us bring this vision to life."  

Demand for innovative fuels, like LNG, from commercial customers is growing due to the wide range of benefits for trucking fleet operators. These benefits can include lower fuel costs, the potential to reduce emissions as well as reduce noise levels in certain engines.

"We see great potential for LNG as a fuel option among our range of quality fuels, due to the sheer abundance and affordability of domestic natural gas in North America", concluded Phillips.

About Shell and LNG Fuels

Shell has been working to develop the LNG for Transport market globally.  Last year, we announced our intention to collaborate with TA  and today's finalization of that agreement is a major step toward making LNG fuels a reality for the U.S. heavy duty road customers. Shell is also developing LNG stations at Flying J truck stops in Alberta, Canada - the first of which opened this year.

In March, Shell announced it will invest in two small-scale LNG production units that form the basis of two new LNG transport corridors in the Great Lakes and Gulf Coast regions that will provide LNG to marine and heavy duty road customers. This brings the total to three planned Shell LNG production units dedicated to transport in North America.

Shell's acquisition of Gasnor, the Norwegian LNG fuel company and the launch of the world's first 100% LNG powered barge on the Rhine are further examples of Shell's confidence in LNG as a fuel option for commercial customers.

All of these announcements help demonstrate how Shell is moving forward in its strategy to develop a global LNG fuel sales business for commercial customers. 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Natural gas could play an important role in helping to meet the world's rising transport needs. It can be cooled to make a liquefied natural gas to power ships and heavy duty trucks. LNG also has the potential to be used in sectors such as rail and mining and we are looking at options to increase its use in our own operations.

Additional information on Shell and Natural Gas for Transport and is available at www.shell.com/gasfortransport.

About Shell Oil Company

Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with 93,000 employees in more than 90 countries. We deliver a diverse range of energy solutions and petrochemicals to customers worldwide. These include transporting and trading oil and gas, marketing natural gas, producing and selling fuel for ships and planes, generating electricity and providing energy efficiency advice.

We also produce and sell petrochemical building blocks to industrial customers globally, and we are investing in making renewable and lower-carbon energy sources competitive for large-scale use. In the U.S., we operate in 50 states and employ more than 20,000 people delivering energy in a responsible manner.

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SOURCE Shell Oil Company