"New EIA Outlook Reflects Energy Market Shift towards Nuclear, Biofuels, Coal-to-Liquids, and Accelerated Efficiency Improvements"

~ U.S. Department of Energy, 5 Dec 2006

Even as crude price hovers at USD60 mark, alternative energy projects are gaining strength. China is trying to develop coal-based fuel to reduce its reliance on oil imports and cut key pollutants by 10% by 2010. The roadmap to achieve this include plans to build the largest coal-based DME plant, Sinopec’s spearheading a $2.6bn clean coal project and Chinacoal’s acquisition of Harbin coal-to-petrochemicals plants.

"Coal use for new electric generating capacity and CTL production grows rapidly. Coal consumption in the electric power sector is projected to increase from 25.1 quads in 2020 to 31.1 quads in 2030, and coal use at CTL plants is projected to increase from 0.4 quads in 2020 to 1.8 quads in 2030."

Coal conversion is bustling with new project announcements across the globe from US, Europe, China, Australia. U.S. Department of Energy funded two projects to further develop a proprietary CTL technology. Meanwhile, NDRC’s latest circular puts in the queue poles to calm the overheating CTL industry. With this move to ensure a healthy development of the industry, NDRC will now only approve coal-liquefaction projects that have annual capacity above 3 million tons. Is this a positive sign for major CTL projects and foreign ventures?

Rising oil prices have also prompted the chemical industry to look to coal as a possible feedstock. Available downstream processing technologies such as coal to methanol, methanol to olefin (MTO) and development in DME has provided chemical producers new channels to obtain high-value chemicals from coal. How will the sort deal with the environment issues?

With more projects coming on stream, how can technology providers gain the competitive advantage in this sector? What other potential can we harness from coal conversion and CTL? What is the outlook of China’s coal market and is there import potential in China?

CMT’s CTLtec 2007 provides insights to the latest in coal conversions, from projects economics, financing to technologies. Distinguished panel of speakers will share on the following:

n Analysis of coal conversions projects and impact on global demand/supply balance

n CTL projects updates from key stakeholders from China/Asia and the US.

n More coal gasification prospects ahead

n Coal to Chemicals economics and projects status

Presenting a complete and up to date overview of the industry, CTLtec 2007 features key organisations and senior decision makers, providing attendees with exceptional networking and business opportunities.

A must attend event for your 2007 calendar

Don’t hesitate! Register online @ www.cmtevents.com with your team