BHP may scale up methanol production

Journal Article · Wed Jun 23 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Chemical Week

OSTI ID:548988

Alperowicz, N

Broken Hill Pty. (BHP: Melbourne) says otherwise uneconomic gas reserves in the Timor Sea off northwest Australia could be developed if the company`s plans to commercialize a novel gas-to-methanol technology prove to be viable. BHP is building an A$70-million ($50 million) research unit in Victoria using ICI`s Leading Concept Methanol gas-to-methanol process. If this unit proves viable, it could be put on a vessel and taken to Timor Sea where BHP has oil exploration and production interests. Timor gas is not economically viable because of lack of nearby markets. The 54,000-m.t./year research plant, located at Werrbee near Melbourne, is scheduled to start production in the second half of 1994, according to BHP manager Joe Evon. The plant is being built by Davy/John Brown. Provided the economic climate is right, BHP is expected to build a world-scale methanol plant offshore.

• OSTI ID: 548988
• Journal Information: Chemical Week, Journal Name: Chemical Week Journal Issue: 24 Vol. 152; ISSN CHWKA9; ISSN 0009-272X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
AUSTRALIA
CAPACITY
COMMERCIALIZATION
CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN
ECONOMICS
EXPLORATION
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
METHANOL
METHANOL PLANTS
PRODUCTION
RESERVES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
TIMOR SEA