Shell and Travel Centers of America LLC (TA) opened their first two liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling lanes in the U.S. in Ontario, Calif. This station is the first of the Shell and TA agreement to sell LNG to heavy-duty road transport customers in the US at TA and Petro fueling centers.
“At Shell, we believe it is essential that we advance alternative fuels that both diversify the fuel supply and help to reduce emissions,” says Elen Phillips, vice president, Shell Fuels Sales & Marketing North America. “The opening of the first U.S. LNG station signifies the early stages of a sustainable transport system that will create value for Shell – as well as for our customers.”
“At Travel Centers of America, we are thrilled to begin to provide even more fuel choices for our customers,” said Tom O’Brien, chief executive officer of Travel Centers of America. “We will continue the progress and plan to open LNG fuel lanes at more locations this year, based on customer demand.”
Demand for innovative fuels, like LNG fuel, from commercial customers is growing due to the wide range of benefits for trucking fleet operators. These benefits can include lower fuel costs compared to conventional diesel, reduced noise levels for spark ignition engines and, for compression ignition engines, improved local air quality from reduced emissions at the point of use, particularly CO2 and methane greenhouse gas emissions.
In a related press release, Chart Industries Inc., manufacturer of highly-engineered equipment used in the production, storage and end-use of hydrocarbon and industrial gases, highlighted its involvement in the opening of the LNG fueling stations, as it has been selected by Shell to design, manufacture and commission.
The remaining contracted LNG fueling stations will be built across North America in a phased approach, based on customer demand at existing truck stop sites with the intention of adding dispensers alongside existing diesel fueling lanes.
“Our strategic partnership with Shell to expand the nationwide LNG fueling network is evidence of the demand for alternative fuels from commercial customers,” said Bill Haukoos, president of Chart Distribution & Storage Americas. “Chart has a strong reputation for innovative, customer-focused solutions and we’ve worked extensively to design and build a station to meet Shell’s request for a new global standard in LNG fueling.”
The LNG fueling stations will be fully automatic, have a low working pressure and be sized to fill 100 to 150 trucks per day with two LNG dispensers. The 20 fueling stations were ordered in 2013.
Chart is a leading independent global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment used in the production, storage and end-use of hydrocarbon and industrial gases. The majority of Chart’s products are used throughout the liquid gas supply chain for purification, liquefaction, distribution, storage and end-use applications, the largest portion of which are energy-related. Chart has domestic operations located across the United States and an international presence in Asia, Australia and Europe. For more information, visit: http://www.chartindustries.com.
