Sasol Gives U.S. First GTL Unit - Analyst Blog
15 Settembre 2011 - 5:54PM
Zacks
South Africa-based petrochemicals group Sasol
Ltd. (SSL) announced plans to set up a gas-to-liquids
(GTL) plant in the southwestern region of the State of Louisiana.
This will be the first facility in the U.S. to generate GTL
transportation fuels and other products.
Sasol, which constructed the world’s first commercial-sized GTL
plant in Qatar, will conduct an extensive feasibility study
regarding the viability of the project in Calcasieu Parish,
Louisiana, over the next 18 months. The evaluation and analysis
will take into account the option of building two plants –– one
with two million tons per annum capacity and the other with four
million tons per annum capacity.
As cost-effective and environmentally safe fuels, GTL has earned
a significant position in the energy mix. These fuels can a
utilized in existing vehicles and fuel delivery infrastructure
without any alternation.
Sasol is engaged in the mining and processing of coal. It also
produces chemicals, fertilizers and explosives as well as explores
and refines crude oil. In addition, it converts coal to
petrochemicals products, such as diesel fuels and gasoline.
Sasol –– a pioneer in the area of synthetic petroleum
alternatives –– has continuously focused on the commercialization
of its GTL technology by constructing plants in gas-rich regions of
the world that will strengthen its position in the industry in the
coming years.
With gas prices remaining at depressed levels and thereby
diverging significantly from high oil prices, Sasol is looking to
utilize the spread by using its GTL technology that is expected to
be more profitable than the company’s traditional business of
producing motor fuels from coal.
In this regard, the company has recently signed two transactions
with Canadian energy explorer Talisman Energy Inc
(TLM) to enter the North American shale gas market.
We like Sasol for its diverse portfolio of assets that produce a
wide array of chemical and liquid fuels. Additionally, the
company’s deleveraged balance sheet and strong cash position keep
the group well equipped to weather the global economic storm and
fund its growth program in tough credit markets.
However, we believe that the company’s unfavorable operating
environment, characterized by a strong domestic currency and weaker
refining margins, will keep near to medium-term earnings under
pressure. Hence, we maintain a long-term Neutral rating on the
stock.
SASOL LTD -ADR (SSL): Free Stock Analysis Report
TALISMAN ENERGY (TLM): Free Stock Analysis Report
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