Shell appears in the minority with its choice of Appalachia (Pennsylvania, West Virginia, or Ohio) for an upcoming US ethane cracker project.

Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Hydrocarbon Processing readers picked the US Gulf of Mexico region as the most lucrative region for a new cracker, citing proximity to existing production as well as shale plays such as Eagle Ford and Barnett.

Chevron Phillips Chemical and Dow Chemical appear to agree with that assessment, with each picking US Gulf sites for cracker projects slated to start up in the latter part of this decade.

Just 35% of readers selected the Appalachia region, which Shell is targeting for its proximity to the Marcellus shale basin.

The US has become a very popular region for new ethylene project proposals amid cheap and available shale gas for use as feedstock.

In addition to the three previously-mentioned companies, Sasol is currently conducting a feasibility study for a possible ethane cracker and ethylene derivatives complex in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

To see more details on this poll as well as access prior Hydrocarbon Processing poll results, click here.

(Editor’s note: Polls are where we at Hydrocarbon Processing gather industry sentiment on significant issues of the day. Visit the HP home page to weigh in on our latest poll regarding regional benefits from European refinery shutdowns.)