ExxonMobil licenses methanol-to-gasoline process to ZeoGas on US Gulf

ZeoGas, a developer of natural gas-to-gasoline projects, has entered into a license agreement to use ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company’s methanol-to-gasoline technology in the development of a natural gas-to-gasoline plant on the US Gulf Coast.

ZeoGas says it is developing a portfolio of projects to convert natural gas to gasoline to take advantage of the abundant and relatively low cost of natural gas in North America. 

Coupled with the 5,000 tpd of planned methanol production, ZeoGas will produce more than 16,000 bpd of ASTM-spec, 87 Octane gasoline with zero sulfur and about 50% less benzene than allowable standards.

“We are pleased with this milestone in our development. ExxonMobil’s proven methanol-to-gasoline technology is a critical element of our strategy to use only market-proven, production-scale component technologies, thereby eliminating the technology risk associated with many gas-to-liquids projects,” said Timothy D. Belton, CEO of ZeoGas.

ExxonMobil’s methanol-to-gasoline technology was first commercialized in 1985 by New Zealand Synfuels, a 14,500 bpd gas-to-gasoline plant in New Zealand. 

“Our methanol-to-gasoline technology is not only flexible and scalable, but it has also proven to be a reliable option for producing gasoline,” said Vince Alberico, manager of technology sales and licensing at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering.