Liquid Hydrocarbons from Natural Gas by Exxon's AGC 21 Process

In this review we evaluate the technology and economics of the production of liquid hydrocarbons from natural gas by Exxon's AGO 21 process. Our study is derived from information in the patent and published literature. Although the economics of the Exxon process are more attractive than other gas-to-liquid (GTL) processes that SRIC has evaluated in the past, both the total fixed capital requirements and the production costs are still considerably higher than the usual targets for viability. We conclude that applications for the AGO 21 process (and for other GTL processes in general) are unlikely if crude oil prices remain within the same range that prevailed between early 1998 and mid-1999.

SRIC submitted a draft of this Review to Exxon Research and Engineering Company for comments. Exxon responded that it did not concur with the principal conclusions of this Review.