Gas2, the Aberdeen-based gas reforming technology company, has opened a new pilot gas to liquid (GTL) process plant at the Wilton Centre, Redcar. The firm, which aims to demonstrate the large-scale commercial viability of the GTL process, has been backed with £5.5 million for the new facility.
The facility has been developed to create an economically and environmentally clean way of converting natural gas to liquid hydrocarbon (synthetic crude oil), something that until now has not been possible with previous conventional large-scale GTL technologies.
The pilot plant was completed on schedule and positioned at the Wilton Centre. Managing director of Gas2, Mike Fleming, commented: “An extensive test programme is planned at the Wilton Centre over the course of the year.
“For anyone developing new technology for the chemical engineering or process engineering markets, Wilton Centre is a very attractive location. Not only has it considerable familiarity and experience in those fields but the local planning and regulatory agencies are keen to assist business.
“Furthermore, because the Teesside area has a long history of excellence in chemical engineering, it is a great place to recruit an experienced workforce – already this year we have taken on a manager and five operatives, all of whom live locally.”
The Gas2 GTL technology also focuses on conversion of smaller remote gas reserves and shale and also offers a gas disposal solution for unwanted resources. This service will help provide gas conversion to other end products including gasoline, diesel, waxes and hydrogen.
