Fuel alternative makes progress

ED RICHARDSON
WITH FUEL prices on the rise around the world and continuing instability in the Middle East, the pressure is on to find alternative sources of hydrocarbons.
This has put the spotlight on converting natural gas to liquid fuel - an area in which South Africa is a world leader. Norwegian-based Statoil has announced that production has begun from the semi-commercial gas-to-liquid (GTL) plant at Mossel Bay.
The facility is intended to demonstrate technology developed by Statoil and PetroSA in a 50/50 partnership and is described as “a step towards its adoption in commercial production lines”.
The plant was ready in March, with the first hydrocarbons fed in on April 19. Output was up to 50% of capacity by May 18, when synthetic oil and wax production began.