Privately-held Marcellus GTL LLC plans to build a natural gas-to-liquids (GTL) processing plant in Blair County, PA, in the heart of the Marcellus Shale.

At a press conference at the Altoona-Blair County Development Corp. headquarters in Altoona on Saturday, the Gilberton, PA-based company said it is planning a GTL plant capable of producing about 84,000 g/d of gasoline and propane that it would market locally.

The $200 million project will create about 120 construction jobs, 30 permanent jobs and 60 secondary jobs, according to CEO John Rich Jr. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year and be completed in 2015.

“Natural gas is revitalizing Pennsylvania’s economy and providing exciting new opportunities for innovative companies like Marcellus GTL to invest in our region, provide cleaner energy and good jobs for the area,” said Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Altoona).

“For years we have been talking about the positive impact Marcellus Shale gas would have on Pennsylvania and the country. This is one example of that positive impact. This innovative industry and Marcellus Shale development will continue to lead to new jobs, industries, and opportunities for Pennsylvanians.”

Production from North American shale plays will keep natural gas prices from increasing significantly any time soon, which is a major opportunity for integrated gas products like GTL, liquefied natural gas and gas-to-chemicals, according to Royal Dutch Shell plc CEO Peter Voser (see Shale Daily, Feb. 4).