OREANDA-NEWS. March 15, 2016. The INEOS Intrepid, the world’s largest LNG multi gas carrier, today left the Markus Hook terminal near Philadelphia bound for Rafnes in Norway carrying 27,500m3 of US shale gas ethane.

This is the first time that US shale gas has ever been shipped to Europe and represents the culmination of a long-term investment by INEOS.

The shale gas is cooled to -90?C (-130?F) for the journey of 3,800 miles, which is expected to take nine to ten days. US shale gas will complement the reducing gas feed from the North Sea.

Jim Ratcliffe, chairman and founder of INEOS, says, “This is an important day for INEOS and Europe. We know that shale gas economics revitalised US manufacturing and for the first time Europe can access this important energy and raw material source too”