Shell Polymers Monaca: The Biggest Petrochemical Plant in a Generation

The Shell Polymers Monaca plant in Beaver County, Pennsylvania is the largest petrochemical plant built in the United States in a generation. It produces polyethylene using ethane feedstock from Appalachian natural gas. The construction phase is complete and the facility is in operations. The ongoing work is now permanent maintenance, turnaround support, and continuing capital projects — Fluor has the primary maintenance agreement. UA Pipefitters Local 27 has the primary agreement for piping work at the facility. Per diem for ongoing work runs at $168/day. The Beaver County location in western Pennsylvania is workable from a housing standpoint — Pittsburgh is approximately 30 miles to the southeast and has a full range of options. Members who are committing to long-term positions have found the Pittsburgh-area rental market to be more economical and more livable than daily hotel costs and significantly more livable. The facility is significant from a long-term employment standpoint. A petrochemical plant of this scale requires continuous maintenance and periodic turnarounds — large, time-limited events where the plant is shut down for inspection and repairs that can require several hundred additional craft workers for periods of two to six weeks. Members who are registered with Local 27 and available for turnaround work can expect this facility to be a regular call. Western Pennsylvania's resurgence as a petrochemical and industrial hub has been driven by Appalachian shale gas production. The Shell Polymers plant is the most visible example, but it is not the only project in the region. Members who are open to establishing in western Pennsylvania are in a good position relative to the ongoing industrial development in the corridor.