Conversion process of natural gas into liquid fuels

Abstract

Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) technology has developed over the past few decades into a financially sound industry offering market diversification to remote natural gas resource stakeholders. Presently, several patented technologies are available for the petroleum industries to transport natural gas cheaply in liquefied form. In the recent past, low natural gas prices in North America can be attributed to the isolation of shale gas resources using GTL technology. Some small technology providers are currently using GTL to eliminate associated gas flaring in remote oil fields. Several smaller technology providers are now looking to GTL to stop associated gas flaring in remote producing fields. In addition, GTL has the potential to extract liquid fuel in gas-rich inland areas. The GTL technology is preferred as the existing technologies that process natural gas through olefins are more complex and have so far proven difficult and costly in terms of commercial viability. The various GTL technologies having prospective market scope are reviewed this article.