Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Sasol Say It’s Considering Building First Ever Gas-to-Liquids Plant in U.S

Sasol Ltd. (SOL), the world’s largest producer of motor fuel from coal, said it’s considering building what it says will be the first gas-to-liquids plant in the U.S.

The Johannesburg-based company may build either a 2 million metric ton per year or 4 million ton plant at Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, it said in an e-mailed statement today.

“We believe Sasol’s proprietary GTL technology can help unlock the potential of Louisiana’s clean and abundant natural- gas resources,” Sasol said. The feasibility study will take about 18 months to complete, it said.

Sasol, which uses proprietary technology to make jet fuel, gasoline and diesel, is shifting production away from South African coal to natural gas overseas to help counter the effect of a strengthening local currency and as carbon-emissions rules make coal less attractive.

Source: Bloomberg