New venture on production of synthetic gasoline will be put into operation in Ovadandepe in 2018

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Ovadan-Depe near the capital of Ashgabad in Turkmenistan to launch the construction of a major plant focused on the conversion of natural gas into synthetic gasoline. The plant will be based on Haldor Topsoe’s TIGAS™ (Topsoe Improved Gasoline Synthesis) technology and will become the first full scale large commercial facility using this technology.

The high quality, high value gasoline from natural gas, shale gas, associated gas, coal, pet coke or even biomass will be produced there.  The plant has been awarded by the national gas company Turkmengas, and Topsoe will be working alongside the Japanese contractor Kawasaki Heavy Industry Ltd. and the Turkish contractor Rönesans Turkmen to engineer and construct the facility. The plant will be become operational in 2018 with a daily production capacity of 15,500 bbl synthetic gasoline.

Synthetic gasoline is a competitive alternative to refinery gasoline and new energy carriers. Unlike DME, methanol and ethanol, synthetic gasoline meets existing gasoline standards so it can be used as a ‘drop-in’ fuel. This means that production can take place far from refineries, the existing infrastructure can be used for distribution, and car engines can use it as fuel without modification.