In Canada, Calgary-based Expander Energy, Inc., a developer and licensor of processes to convert carbon sources into synthetic fuels has announced that it has formed an affiliate, Rocky Mountain GTL Inc., to finance and manage Gas to Liquids (GTL) plants utilizing Expander’s patented "Enhanced GTL" technology. Expander has also successfully completed a CA$42 million private placement financing and made the final investment decision to construct Canada’s first GtL plant in Carseland, Alberta.
According to a statement, the Carseland plant will process up to ~5.0 MMscf/d of natural gas and natural gas liquids into a nominal 500 bbl/d of paraffinic synthetic diesel and naphtha. The GTL plant will incorporate a number of “very unique enhancements” in that it will be water neutral, self-sufficient on electric power, and convert significant process carbon dioxide (CO2) into additional synthetic diesel.
The Carseland GTL Plant will demonstrate high carbon conversion efficiency in the creation of a low greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and high quality, low Carbon Index (CI) clean SynDiesel Fuel that exceeds the proposed California Air Resources Board (CARB) and BC 2020 clean fuel standards.
Rocky Mountain has exchanged 4.2 million Units and 4.6 million exchangeable performance warrants to acquire Expander Energy Inc.’s patented Enhanced GTL technology. Rocky Mountain also completed a technology supply agreement with affiliates of Greyrock Energy that enables the deployment of additional plants that use Greyrock’s Direct Fuel Production technology and GreyCat catalyst.
In addition, Expander purchased 3,333,334 units in Rocky Mountain GTL at CA$1.50 per unit (total investment CA$5 million)
With the creation of Rocky Mountain GTL and the successful completion of its initial private placement Expander has now achieved successful commercialization of our patented Enhanced GTL technology, and we believe that Carseland will be the first of many GTL facilities to be constructed through this very effective partnership, said James H. Ross, CEO, Expander Energy.
