Turkmen, US GTL Projects Advance
Progress has been reported at two separate Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) projects in two completely different operating environments.
In Turkmenistan, it's been reported that the second stage of the construction project where gasoline will be produced from natural gas will now also include the production of gasoline A-95.
As the country's state news agency has reported, construction of the GTL plant is being carried out in Ovan-Depe, according to a contract signed in 2015 between the state-owned producer Turkmengaz and a consortium of Japan's Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Turkish conglomerate Ronesans. The project's cost is estimated at $1.7bn. It will incorporate GTL technology provided by Denmark's Haldor Topsoe.
Ronesans said January 13 that, 43 months into construction, the project had passed a milestone of 10mn man-hours without any lost time injury. The Turkish constructor indicated that it had as many man-hours to contribute again, before the plant would start up later next year.
Turkmen GTL plant under construction (Photo credit: Ronesans)
The project, which is still being built, is designed to process 1.785bn m3/yr of feed gas into 600,000 tons/yr (15,500 b/d) of environmentally friendly gasoline A-92 to 'Euro 5' standard. Additionally it will produce 12,000 tons of diesel and 115,000 tons of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) per year. The plant is due to be commissioned late 2018. Some of its motor fuel products will be exported by rail, then ship across the Caspian Sea, the news agency reported.
First production at Oklahoma City GTL unit
Separately, UK-based technology pioneer Velocys said February 6 that first production had been achieved at Envia Energy's GTL plant in Oklahoma City. It said that product there is fractionated on site to produce premium wax, diesel and naphtha. Velocys said it expects output from the plant to qualify under the US Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and generate tradeable credits in the form of renewable identification numbers (RINs).
"First product represents a major milestone for Velocys, Envia and the wider industry, and will be a springboard for the successful implementation of Velocys' new strategy. The next goal for the Envia plant is to ramp up to full capacity, stable operation over the coming months. We look forward to inviting key stakeholders to visit the first commercial smaller scale GTL plant in the world," said Velocys CEO David Pummell.
Envia's GTL unit is located near US firm Waste Management's East Oak landfill site and will use a mix of landfill gas and natural gas as feedstock.
Azerbaijan Desk