Chesapeake Utilities Corporation’s propane subsidiary, Sharp Energy, acquired has Western Natural Gas Company in Jacksonville.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Dover-based Chesapeake, which has natural gas operations in Florida, typically acquires propane companies that serve residencies and businesses around its utility footprint.
Chesapeake and Sharp earlier purchased the Newark-based Boulden propane business after acquiring the nearby Elkton Gas utility.
“This is an important acquisition for our company as it enables Sharp Energy to immediately expand the availability of its propane operations into Florida and build upon our existing propane footprint,” said Jeff Householder, CEO of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. “Sharp Energy continues to expand and generate strong performance for our company. They are an industry leader, providing community gas systems, wholesale capabilities, and propane AutoGas to customers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Acquiring Western Natural Gas will assist us in meeting customer demand and expanding our propane distribution foundation in Florida.”
Western Natural Gas has been providing propane service for more than 80 years. Western provides propane service to approximately 4,000 residential and commercial customers.
Sharp Energy, headquartered in Georgetown, DE, distributes propane gas to approximately 65,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Florida. Sharp has four rail facilities and over three million gallons of propane gas storage.
Sharp Energy is a partner of Alliance AutoGas, a national network of companies that have worked to deliver a comprehensive alternative fueling solution including EPA-certified propane AutoGas vehicle conversions, on-site fueling infrastructure, fuel supply, safety, and operational training.
Chesapeake also owns Marlin CNG, a company that transports compressed natural gas via truck. Marlin is expected to be a part of efforts to distribute natural gas produced from poultry waste on the Delmarva Peninsula.
