One of the biggest challenges associated with gas-to-liquids (GTL) processes is the high capital costs of these plants. Small-scale GTL have the advantages of being less capital intensive, less risk, and has the potential of utilizing gas reserves which previously could not be exploited i.e. associated and stranded gas reserves. However, the cost per barrel of these processes still remains high, if conventional technology is employed. There is a need to reduce the cost of small-scale plants such that the processes become viable for capacities around 1,000�10,000 bbl/day. Novel, cost-effective, simple, small-scale technologies need to be developed.We explore various ways of reducing the costs associated with GTL processes, for example, by increasing the carbon efficiency or changes in existing GTL flowsheets. One of the major costs associated with GTL plants is the syngas production step, new technologies and development in syngas production will greatly help in reducing costs.

Prospects for small-scale gas-to-liquids processes

245th National Meeting (2013)

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