UK-headed Velocys plc, a developer of smaller scale gas-to-liquids (GTL) technology has announced the completion of ENVIA Energy’s GTL plant in Oklahoma City, United States. On-site loading of catalyst into the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactors has been completed by Velocys with support from its partner, Mourik.
According to a statement, pre-commissioning work, including hydro-testing of the lines and vessels, and a rigorous inspection process, is substantially complete. The team has made extensive and detailed preparations; operating manuals and procedures have been completed and robust commissioning and start-up plans are in place.
In line with best practice, the commissioning plan will ensure that each process system in sequence, is working robustly, safely, and within specification, in order to best assure a successful, safe and uneventful plant startup. Early commissioning steps have begun.
In February 2016, as part of a stakeholder capital contribution, Velocys made available to ENVIA a senior loan of US$9 million, secured on the project. Additional equity ownership units and voting rights were granted to the company as part of the terms of the loan agreement and Velocys sought and gained greater operational management involvement in the project.
Velocys has been supporting the EPC contractor, Ventech Engineers Internationl LLC, in leading and executing the planning for the commissioning, start-up, and operation of the plant. Additionally, under the secondment agreement with ENVIA, Velocys’ team of experienced GTL operations managers, operators and engineers have been on site in Oklahoma City since their deployment began in July.
This Velocys operations team, which is serving under the ENVIA Plant Manager, will bring essential support to the ENVIA team through commissioning, start-up and early-stage operations until the permanent operations team is phased in over a planned period. Drawdown on the loan to ENVIA will begin in Q4 2016, with the final drawdown expected in Q1 2017.
The majority of the drawdown will fall in the current financial year. Velocys will pursue options for the early repayment of the loan once the plant is operational. The company does not currently anticipate any additional funding needs from Velocys for the project.
Operational start-up of the ENVIA plant is now within sight; its successful steady state operation will represent the next seminal milestone for Velocys and a significant step for the smaller scale GTL industry. Velocys and its partners continue to work together on site in a high-performing professional collaboration and I remain confident that we will continue to build on this progress to deliver a safe and successful start-up of the plant in the near future and the timely production of an in-specification product, said David Pummell, CEO of Velocys.
