JOGMEC, PTT to study GTL

State-owned Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp. (JOGMEC) and Thailand’s PTT PCL have signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct a year-long feasibility study into the economics of setting up gas-to-liquid projects in Thailand, JOGMEC officials said. “At this stage, we aim to examine the possibilities of building GTL plants with a capacity of around 2,000-3,000 barrels per day. However, the ultimate capacities and products line-up will be determined after completing the feasibility studies,” the official said. The joint venture was launched as part of JOGMEC’s five-year pilot project on research and development on GTL technology. The Nippon GTL Technology Research Association will start building a 500-barrel-per-day pilot plant in September in the Niigata prefecture in northwestern Japan, near natural gas fields owned by Japex, the officials said. JOGMEC has asked the Ministry of Finance to budget ¥6 billion (US$52.2 million) to support the feasibility study and construction of the pilot GTL plant in fiscal 2008-2009 (April-March), the officials said. JOGMEC is expected to provide some ¥24 billion (US$208.8 million) out of a total of ¥36 billion (US$313.2 million) to be spent on the GTL pilot project. (September 4, 2007)