WYALUSING, Pa.— Kessel Construction, Inc. , a leader in design/build industry specializing in oil and gas services for the Marcellus Shale market, custom-fabricated and built a natural gas compressor building for Houston-based Southwestern Energy’s Wyalusing location.

With natural gas exploration, production, and transmission on the rise, Kessel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table to support this growing industry. Before selecting Kessel, Southwestern officials completed their due diligence by asking several other gas company executives for their recommendations. When the Kessel name came up time and again, Southwestern awarded Kessel this unique project. 

“We asked for recommendations and others were impressed with Kessel’s work,” said Stew Burrous of Southwestern. “Kessel was excellent to work with and the team was very helpful with the building design. They understood what we needed and were great in making it happen. In fact, we are using them right now for another project!”

Kessel designed and fabricated the 6,000-square-foot building in-house and then constructed the structure around the compressor on-site. Because the facility runs 24/7, sound control was one of the most important aspects of this project. Kessel’s solution consisted of a foundation floor and a layered wall prepared with four inches of fiberglass and four inches of mineral wool capped with 24-gauge perforated panels.  

The building utilizes heavy gauge tubular steel for the primary structural system and industry standard, ribbed metal wall panels with 20-year warranted finish and ribbed metal roof panels with 20-year “Galvalume” coating. These materials offer cost-effective construction and low maintenance.

Another key feature of the building is the capability to easily remove the roof panels and structural system to allow full access to the inside of the building and the compressor unit. This is an important feature when replacing or performing maintenance on the units.

Based in Bradford, Pennsylvania, Kessel Construction, Inc. is a respected design/build firm specializing in turnkey construction of commercial and industrial buildings. Kessel’s experience and reputation as a design-builder makes them uniquely qualified to handle every phase of the project—from site preparation and design through construction completion. Kessel’s oil and gas services include compressor stations, custom warehouses, Butler pre-engineered steel buildings, concrete slabs and foundations, metal fabrication, structural steel, crane systems, and building erection.  

For more information on Kessel’s oil and gas services and to view the company’s project portfolio, visit www.kesselco.com or call (814) 362-4696.

There has been a recent increase in the talk about Marcellus Shale water treatment plants releasing radioactive material into the soil/water. This myth has been talked about in a movie by Fox, which is highly controversial in the gas industry for the sheer amount of accusations with-out sources. The test conducted by the DEP has now confirmed that the water treatment plants in PA have not effected our water supplies. This is a good sign showing us that the drilling that will be taking place shale not harm the citizens in the area. Drilling will bring many opportunities to this area and its good to know that it will be safe too.

This Information Has all come from the PIOGA

Here is the original Posting here below.

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The State Department of Environmental Protection released sampling results for levels of naturally occurring radioactive material in seven rivers where Marcellus Shale drilling activity is taking place.

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Dept. of Environmental Protection
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg PA., 17120
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Katy Gresh, Department of Environmental Protection Southwest Regional Office 412-442-4203

DEP Announces Testing for Radioactivity of River Water Downstream of Marcellus Water Treatment Plants Shows Water Is Safe

HARRISBURG -- The Department of Environmental Protection today announced results of in-stream water quality monitoring for radioactive material in seven of the commonwealth's rivers. All samples showed levels at or below the normal naturally occurring background levels of radioactivity.  The tests were conducted in November and December of 2010 at stations downstream of wastewater treatment plants that accept flowback and production water from Marcellus Shale drilling. 
"We deal in facts based on sound science," said DEP acting Secretary Michael Krancer. "Here are the facts: all samples were at or below background levels of radioactivity; and all samples showed levels below the federal drinking water standard for Radium 226 and 228." Krancer said that these sampling stations were installed last fall specifically to monitor stream quality for potential impacts of Marcellus development.  Krancer explained that the water tested is the raw water in the river before it enters public water suppliers' intakes where the water receives further treatment.

The river testing stations that were evaluated are the Monongahela at Charleroi in Washington County; South Fork Ten Mile Creek in Greene County; Conemaugh in Indiana County; Allegheny at Kennerdell in Venango County; Beaver in Beaver County; Tioga in Tioga County; and the West Branch of the Susquehanna in Lycoming County.

For more information about DEP, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us or call 412-442-4203.

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             Early in the northeast’s history they started making their money and creating jobs out in the oil fields. Since then the oil industry has still been going, but now there is a new opportunity for drillers. The Marcellus Shale gas industry promises many more jobs and economic wealth for the northeast. Recently WTAC-TV published an article about many local technical schools offering programs specialized for drilling gas and jobs related to the industry. The article was listed on the Marcellus Shale Coalition.

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February 9, 2011
http://www.wjactv.com/news/26795640/detail.html

· “Just where are the blue collar jobs? A shred of hope for people out of work is directly linked to Marcellus Shale drilling.”

· County officials say Marcellus Shale will “usher in a new era of economic prosperity for years.”

Students Train For Jobs In Marcellus Shale Drilling Industry
WTAC-TV

February 9, 2011

CLEARFIELD, Pa. -- It's an area that has faced big job losses over the last few years. 
Job cuts in industries like lumber and powdered metal helped drive unemployment into the double digits in several Northern Alleghenies counties.

But now, officials claim there is new hope for people looking for a blue-collar job.

Marcellus Shale gas wells continue to appear in places like Clearfield County.

Officials said those wells have the potential to put a lot of people to work and each well depends on the work of around 150 companies.

Local technical schools are looking to capitalize on the drilling boom with classes aimed at people interested in the field.

Clearfield County Technical Center is offering commercial drivers license classes, tailored to driving trucks in the Marcellus Shale drilling industry.

They've even bought a water truck to help students train.

"Almost immediately we realized this is something that could be boom," said instructor Bruce Yeckley. "So we needed to get onboard with training and relationships with these companies."

The six-week program has drawn plenty of interest, from students right out of school to workers reeling from the effects of the recession.

"In the last eight years of my career, I worked for two businesses that went bankrupt," said student Mark Georgek. "I can't find a job, but I look at the want ads and there's plenty of CDL jobs."

But will the boom last? County officials claim it could last for years and usher in a new era of economic prosperity.

Workers told WJAC-TV they're just looking for a decent paycheck, a steady career and a job that keeps them close to home.

"If I can get in on the ground floor I can hopefully work my way up," said Georgek.

READ MORE
Visit the MSC’s “Jobs Portal” to learn more about Marcellus employment opportunities.
MSC’s Guiding Principles: Our Commitment to the Community

· “We strive to attract and retain a talented and engaged local workforce”

What They’re Saying: Responsible Shale Gas Development: MSC’s Guiding Principles In Action

What They’re Saying: Marcellus Shale Helping Small Businesses Reach “The American Dream”

Marcellus Shale Coalition | 4000 Town Center Boulevard | Canonsburg, PA 15317 | www.marcelluscoalition.org

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On march 10th & 11th there is going to be a natural gas expo held at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The reason for the expo is to let the energy providers, service providers and business owners interact to learn about opportunities approaching because of the marcellus shale. Kessel is helping sponsor this event, and will have a booth there during the event. If you decide to come, check us out at booth # 11!

As we head towards the end of the year, we see a fair amount of construction activity.  We are currently working on numerous projects in the Marcellus Shale play as well as finishing up other more traditional projects.  We have recently landed four nice projects that have increased our backlog significantly and will keep up busy over the winter months.

We are also seeing that there is more activity in bidding projects than there has been in the recent past.  The types of projects include pre-engineered steel buildings, compressor station concrete, building additions, office renovations, and other large concrete projects to name a few.  This activity is a positive sign for Kessel Construction and the construction industry in general.  We are looking forward to this uptick in construction and the many benefits that go along with that.

The 2010 Eastern Oil & Gas Conference and Trade show is just around the corner.  Kessel will be there and we invite you to stop by booth #164 to see us. 

What’s New?

Kessel is supplying compressor buildings with solutions for sound and accessibility options for servicing equipment.

In addition, we offer concrete services for a full range of needs.

Please click on the link below to get the complete schedule.  We hope to see you there! 

2010 Eastern Oil & Gas Conference and Trade Show

Monroeville Convention Center

209 Mall Boulevard

Monroeville, PA 15146

Tuesday August 31, 2010  9 am – 5 pm

Wednesday September 1, 2010  9 am – 12 noon

http://www.pogam.org/show/2010_Eastern_Oil_&_Gas_Conference_and_Show_flyer.pdf

The PIOGA Summer Meeting will be held on Tuesday June 8, 2010 at the Seven Springs Resort in Champion, PA.   

Kessel Construction will be there with a booth to promote their services to the industry. Currently, we are introducing a light gauge, tubular steel framed building with metal roof & walls that is finding a nice fit for compressor stations in the Marcellus play.  This product is competitively priced and has the flexibility for various sizes.  In addition, we are able to work with our customers for sound control in these compressor buildings.

The booths are open from 1 pm to 8 pm.  We hope to see you there.

The Associated and Builders Contractors of America has posted their latest construction back log indicator. This is a relatively new key economic indicator for the construction industry. It measures construction dollar spending outside of the other key economic indicator of “new home” construction or residential construction. This measure is key to signaling potential economic recovery and growth as it focuses on Commercial and Industrial projects key to the economy showing recovery.

It should be noted that this is only an indicator… your results may vary.

The good news for those of us in the Northeast USA is that the backlog/ activity appears to be strongest in our marketplace.

Currently, we are seeing a good amount of activity around the Marcellus Shale play and traditional industries in our marketplace such as powder metal and timber seem to be chugging along. However, due to their most recent reduced production levels, capacity does not appear to be a problem.

We look forward to the Marcellus Play opportunities for our area as they bring gas exploration and construction to production and the midstream operations. This should provide opportunities in the midstream for pipeline construction, compressor stations, pump and metering shelters etc.

www.abc.org/ backlog indicator

The date for one of the most exciting Expo's to hit the area after the Kinzua Outdoor & Travel Show is quickly coming upon us.

The Natural Gas Expo; McKean, Potter & Cameron Counties will be held on Wednesday March 17th and Thursday March 18th at the Gospel Tabernacle in Coudersport, PA.

Admission is FREE and anyone wanting to learn more about the industry should plan to attend.

This will be an event to bring students & educators to the industries service providers to understand the needs of this growing and dynamic industry.

Wednesday 03/17 will be full of students form area high school Tech programs as well as local higher level learning institutions (Pitt Bradford & Penn Tech College). There will be seminars repeated all day long in regards to the educational & occupational needs of the industry.

Thursday 03/18 is slated for business to business activities. Some of the largest players in the Marcellus Play & Natural Gas Industry will be there:

- Pennsylvania General Energy

- East Resources

- Dresser Pipe Works

- Gas Field Specialists

- Universal Well Services

- Fastenal

to name just of few of the developers, pipeline contractors, drillers and associated service providers to the industry.

There will be seminars repeated all day long with topics on "How to get engaged with the Gas Industry", Natural Gas Well Drilling, Water Resources of the industry.

Kessel Construction will be there with a double booth to promote their services to the industry. Currently, we are introducing a light gauge, tubular steel framed building with metal roof & walls that is finding a nice fit for "soft set" compressor stations in the Marcellus play.  This product is competitively priced and features maintenance free exterior walls and roof. Additionally, for sound absorption they have blanket insulation.

A unique outcome from the event organizers of the EXPO is a full color directory of all the service providers in the area.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Gospel Tabernacle, ROute 6, Coudersport

www.natural-gas-expo.com

If you live in the state of Pennsylvania, Southern NY state, North West- West Virginia you have probably heard of the Marcellus Shale. So what is it and why all of the “buzz”.

Natural gas has been extracted from the ground in Pennsylvania since the 1800’s. But, now due to new and advanced technologies, the industry is giving estimates of $500 billion in recoverable gas in PA alone to $1 trillion throughout the shale formation in total.

This Marcellus “play” could offer up as much as 516 trillion cubic feet of gas. The US demand is approximately 30 trillion cubic feet of gas per year. However, these numbers are again based on current technologies which conservatively extract only about 10% of the estimated gas at play here. As technologies increase it is expected that this play will offer up 20 – 30 years of producing activities (drilling & exploration) and 100 years of supply (gas transmission and line maintenance etc).

The bottom line, there is a lot of gas down there. This dense, black rock formation is about 5,000 – 9,000 feet below the surface. Water wells are not typically any deeper than 500 – 900 feet deep). There are some water concerns as it regards the water that comes out of the wells after “frac’ing” (hydraulic fracturing). These are somewhat overblown as the chemicals are used at a very low level and are found in most processed foods. Some of this water is treated and recycled back in to the process. The DEP has guidelines on how spent frac’cing water can be handled from transport to treatment to dumping into creeks or rivers. The same goes for water these gas production  companies use from local water tributaries.

The additional good news is that this play will create about 29,000 new jobs and $2.4 billion in taxes for PA!

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