The recent announcements by many of the major companies involved in the production of gas liquids from stranded gas reserves have made GTL (gas-to-liquids) an increasingly important consideration. Although much has been written about the technologies involved and the finances required (in the multi-billion $US), a strategic assessment of the "landscape" in GTL has yet to be produced. In this study, Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) - A Strategic Assessment of the Technologies, Markets and Competitive Landscape, The Catalyst Group Resources (TCGR) has undertaken a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the competitive and strategic factors, questions and elusive answers about the growing industry. These include:

• What led ConocoPhillips to commit early (December 2003) in Qatar?
  
  
• What's involved in QP's and Sasol Chevron's commitment to expand Ras Laffan's 34,000 BPD unit eventually to I 00,000 BPD, with a third train to start- up by 2009 and reaching 65,000 BPD capacity?
  
  
• What's behind the new commitment by Sasol Chevron on a new 130,000 BPD (six train facility) to service the North field?
  
  
• What factors have held back commitments from BP and others? What factors led ExxonMobil to commit in Qatar?
  
  
• Based on this new picture, what are the consequences on the size and growth of the GTL catalyst markets, now and in the future?
  
  
• Who are the key suppliers (and what are their relationships) in this new catalyst market? Which catalyst producers are in the best position to supply which candidates' plants and what are the strengths/weaknesses of industry positions?
  
  
• Why has Qatar been deemed the "GTL Capital of the World? in the Middle East and how might this affect alternative projects in other Middle Eastern countries (or those in Russia or elsewhere in the world)?
  
  
• What are the drivers to be understood in exploiting this business opportunity?

The GTL business is clearly here to stay! The subject area is indeed hot! This timely study goes well beyond typical situational analysis (i.e., capacity and plans, R&D or technical reports) to take on the most important business and strategic issues. The Table of Contents, along with a description of its scope and methodology (as well as order form) are available in the study presentation (available as PDF).

If you have questions regarding the study approach, content or methodologies, please contact John J. Murphy, (jjm@catalystgrp.com) or Jeanne Drahos (jmd@catalystgrp.com), telephone: 215-628-4447.