This is an article about the "holy grail" of the natural gas industry: to find a process to convert natural gas to liquid fuel, such as diesel.
At least that's what I think the article is saying.
If so, there is technology out there and it is working. I just don't know if the technology is scalable and / or profitable. But if I understand what the author over at SeekingAlpha is saying, I wonder why Syntroleum, Sasol, or Shell were not mentioned?
From a very recent NY Times article:
A South African firm, Sasol, announced Monday that it would spend just over 1 billion Canadian dollars to buy a half-interest in a Canadian shale gas field, so it can explore turning natural gas into diesel and other liquids. Sasol’s proprietary conversion technology was developed decades ago to help the apartheid government of South Africa survive an international oil embargo, and it is a refinement of the ones used by the Germans to make fuel for the Wehrmacht during World War II.I find that incredible. South Africa used the technology decades ago to help survive an international oil embargo, and Americans are willing to pay $104 for oil and $4 for gasoline ........
..... the "lost decade."
ADDED TO ORIGINAL POSTING:
Here's a nice op-ed on South Africa, Sasol, and the international oil embargo. I find it interesting what Chesapeake CEO did not say. It suggests CHK is way behind the "8-ball" on this one. I find it amazing that he has not been called out on it. DKRW is doing this (natural gas to gasoline and diesel) in Medicine Bow, Wyoming, also. Who's CHK trying to kid?
