TravelCenters, Shell Jointly Open First LNG Lanes

ONTARIO, Calif. -- TravelCenters of America LLC teamed up with Shell North America Inc. to open its first two liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling lanes at a Petro location here.

In addition to LNG now being available at the Petro location at 4325 E. Guasti Road in Ontario, TravelCenters completed retrofitting several other TA and Petro Truck Service facilities to bring them in line with industry standards and regulations for completing truck service repairs on both compressed natural gas (CNG) and LNG trucks.

The retrofitted locations are:

• Petro Ontario, Calif.
• TA Harrisburg, Pa. (Interstate 81, exit 77)
• TA Baytown, Texas (I-10, exit 789)
• TA Dallas South, Texas (I-20, exit 472)
• TA San Antonio, Texas (I-10, exit 583)

"All of our LNG lanes at Ontario and future locations will be 'super lanes' in that the lanes are equipped with dispensers that allow pumping of LNG, diesel and diesel exhaust fluid. This ensures that those lanes can be fully utilized while the demand for LNG ramps up over the coming months and years," said Tom O'Brien, president and CEO of TravelCenters. "Additionally, by locating the LNG lanes with the existing fuel lanes, we haven't interrupted truck traffic flow or reduced available truck parking spaces at these sites."

In April 2013, TravelCenters and Shell announced an agreement to build and operate a network of natural gas fueling lanes at TravelCenters locations along the U.S. interstate highway system. The two companies will build at least two natural gas fueling lanes for large over-the-road trucks, and related storage capacity, at up to 100 TA and Petro Stopping Center locations nationwide, based on customer demand. Shell will supply the natural gas fuel to these locations.

Shell selected Cleveland-based Chart Industries Inc. to design, manufacture and commission 20 retail LNG fueling stations, including the lanes at the Petro location in Ontario. The LNG fueling stations are fully automatic, have a low working pressure and are sized to fill 100 to 150 trucks per day with two LNG dispensers.

As it enters into the emerging natural gas market, TravelCenters is basing site selection and construction of its LNG fueling network on demand, with sites being developed in phases along heavily traveled long-haul transportation corridors, according to the Westlake, Ohio-based company.

TravelCenters plans to have 10 more LNG fueling sites open by the end of 2014.

TA and Petro Stopping Centers Truck Service facility retrofits will enable TA Truck Service and Petro:Lube facilities to provide the same maintenance and repairs on both CNG and LNG trucks as they do on diesel trucks. TravelCenters is working with the Natural Gas Vehicle Institute (NGVi) on training to ensure that its technicians are fully trained on service procedures and safety precautions.

TravelCenters of America operates travel centers in 43 states and Canada, operating under the TA and Petro Stopping Centers brands. Its 250 centers are located off interstate highway exits and offer diesel and gasoline fueling services, more than 500 full- and quick-service restaurants, 24-hour convenience stores, heavy truck maintenance services, RoadSquad Connect emergency roadside service, and Reserve-It truck parking reservations.

TravelCenters also operates gasoline/convenience stores in Kentucky and Tennessee under the Minit Mart brand name.