In his testimony‚ De Ruyter highlighted the opportunities created by the US shale gas revolution for Sasol's further growth and investment in the US market and the role of Sasol's transformational technologies in unlocking the value of these resources.
"Sasol's gas-to-liquids (GTL) facility‚ the first of its kind in the US‚ will be a game-changer for America's energy future‚" De Ruyter said. "While natural gas is a major energy source for global power generation‚ it has lacked the versatility to address transportation needs. Now‚ with our proven GTL technology‚ natural gas can be transformed into a range of high-quality fuels and chemical products‚ maximizing in-country value."
Sasol announced in December last year that it would begin front-end engineering and design (FEED) work for a world-scale ethane cracker and an integrated GTL facility‚ to be located near the town of Westlake‚ Louisiana.
De Ruyter also emphasised the positive economic impact the U.S. projects will have on Sasol's South African operations.
"The benefits of these projects will also extend back home‚ where we will continue to grow and create value for our shareholders‚ 70% of whom are located in South Africa‚" De Ruyter said. "The projects are a compelling example of how bilateral trade can yield substantial foreign direct investment in the US‚ which represents a win-win for both the US and South African economies."
The GTL facility will convert natural gas into four million tons per annum (mtpa)‚ or 96‚000 barrels per day of high quality transportation fuel‚ including GTL diesel. GTL diesel is a cleaner-burning‚ high performance fuel with significant emission reductions. Unlike other proposed alternative fuels‚ GTL diesel can be used in existing vehicles and fuel delivery infrastructure without modifications.
The world-scale ethane cracker will produce an estimated 1.5 mtpa of ethylene‚ helping to strengthen U.S. manufacturing‚ boost exports and spur economic growth. The ethylene produced in the chemical facility will be used to produce a range of high-value derivatives‚ further strengthening Sasol's position in the global chemicals market.
For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.
We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.
Go to: http://www.inet.co.za
