Here's some further comments form "bshook" who I assume is the author of the document TM put on the Rentech Research site. She was responding to my email which appears at the bottom:
To David Fielding:
Thanks for your note. GTL is one of my favorite topics these days. I have talked to folks at just about all of the GTL process developers, and each company has its own personality. Rentech seems to be a bunch of scientists who are more interested in running their experiments and having a good time doing it while making a decent living than necessarily changing the world or getting super rich. I am not knocking them or their strategy or anything else. All of wish we could do what we like best and make an okay living doing it. Texaco indicated to me that it does expect to sign an agreement with Rentech,
but it is not 100% certain. Texaco likes the iron-based catalysts for
use with coal gases, either from a gasification plant or coalbed
methane, or with refinery off-gases as part of an integrated complex.
The Rentech technology is part of the portfolio of applications, as is
the Syntroleum technology, that Texaco is assembling to exploit remote
or stranded gas reserves.
As far is Rentech's business development, the company has made it
clear that it is going after niche projects, one-of-a-kind ventures,
and small scale, a few hundred to a few thousand b/d. Syntroleum is
looking at a broader range of projects, 2,500 b/d to 20,000 b/d, and
maybe more. Sasol also is looking at the broader range, but somewhat
larger, 5,000-50,000 b/d. Exxon and Shell aren't looking at anything
smaller than 50,000 b/d.
Anyway, this is my favorite topic these days, so if you have other
questions, ask me or subscribe to the publications for which I write.
. . .
Regards,
BSHOOK
Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Rentech
Author: <fielding@sirius.com> at INTERNET
Date: 1/21/98 12:08 PM
I saw your recent post comparing Syntroleum and Rentech. I don't
suppose you would have any idea about whats going on at Rentech and when we might expect an announcement about its Texaco negotiations? Would be interested in your thoughts about Rentech's future. David |
