OCG agrees PTT gas-to-liquid deal

The Oxford University spin out will provide its microchannel-reactor and catalyst technologies to the project. In return, PTT will invest $5m (£3m) over two years for the development and commercialisation of the group’s Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) technology.

In addition, PTT will invest in microchannel-reactor testing facilities to be located at the PTT Research and Technology Institute near Bangkok. The agreement also provides a framework for future investment by PTT in other microchannel-reactor applications and associated catalyst developments.

Roy Lipski, chief executive of Oxford Catalysts Group, said: ‘We are delighted to have extended our relationship with PTT in the field of GTL to include both our microchannel reactor and catalyst technologies. Their commitment of $5m (£3m) is a strong endorsement of our business.’

Upon completion, PTT is expected to receive preferential rights for commercial deployment of the Group’s GTL technology in small- to medium-scale land-based facilities.

Dr Songkiert Tansamrit, executive vice president of PTT, added: ‘Microchannel reactors and enhanced catalysts offer an exciting breakthrough for small- to medium-scale GTL. We also envision this technology as potentially game changing for a range of existing and novel chemical and renewable-energy processes, such as biofuels production.’