Member Article

World’s first, modular small scale GTL facility

World’s first, modular small scale GTL facility passes extensive Petrobras test programme

CompactGTL, the pioneer of modular gas to liquid solutions, is pleased to provide an update on its plant supplied to Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras). Petrobras’ CENPES Research and Development Centre has successfully concluded its qualification test programme of the world’s first modular small scale GTL facility and has qualified and approved its process conception for use by Petrobras.

The approval of the performance of the plant by Petrobras is a significant milestone for CompactGTL whilst it continues to undertake project studies, on behalf of clients worldwide, for commercial scale modular gas-to-liquids technology.

The CompactGTL solution offers an alternative to gas flaring and the plant incorporates all aspects required for commercial application in treating associated gas at remote onshore and offshore oilfield locations, including gas pre-treatment, pre-reforming, reforming, waste heat recovery, process steam generation, syngas compression, Fischer Tropsch synthesis, FT cooling water system and tail gas re-cycling, which can be integrated to a host facility or operated as a stand alone operation.

The proprietary mini-channel SMR and FT reactors, operating in conjunction with new catalysts coated on metal substrates (combustion, reforming and FT) demonstrate a compact, low centre of gravity GTL process for the first time.

Nicholas Gay, Chief Executive, said:

“We are pleased that the commercial demonstration plant has passed the programme of testing by Petrobras. It has been a real team effort working with Petrobras throughout the past year on this test programme which has produced some extremely positive results and has shown the plant can be robust, with the operational availability expected of large scale commercial facilities. We can now progress our plans in conjunction with clients throughout the world to develop commercial scale modular gas to liquid plants.”

CompactGTL is predominantly backed by funds advised by Coller Capital, a global private equity investor.

Jeremy Coller, Chief Investment Officer of Coller Capital, commented: “We acquired our initial holding in CompactGTL as part of the acquisition of a portfolio of companies from a corporate seller. We quickly recognised the business’s potential and have provided follow-on investment to support its continuing growth and development. With this approval from Petrobras the company has passed a critical milestone, demonstrating its leadership in an area with the potential to be a game-changer for oil and gas exploration. I would like to thank Petrobras for its support during this important stage of the company’s development.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Donlon .