OCI N.V. (NYSE Euronext: OCI) announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary Natgasoline LLC has taken a major step in the development of its new greenfield world-scale methanol plant in Beaumont, Texas, by signing license and engineering design agreements with Air Liquide, the world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health.
Air Liquide’s engineering and construction division, Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions, will supply its proven and efficient Lurgi MegaMethanol® process technology to achieve Natgasoline’s design capacity of 1.75 million metric tons per annum. Lurgi methanol technology is also used at OCI Partners L.P.’s methanol and ammonia production facility located adjacent to Natgasoline’s site in Beaumont, Texas.
The design of all basic engineering works for the methanol plant will be provided by Air Liquide’s engineering teams. The design allows for detailed design, engineering, and the procurement of proprietary equipment, thereby fast-tracking the construction of the plant. Engineering works have already started and procurement of long lead items is expected to begin later this month.
Nassef Sawiris, OCI N.V.’s Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are pleased to have chosen Air Liquide as our technology partner, a key milestone in OCI N.V.’s natural gas monetization strategy. We expect to sign the engineering, procurement and construction contract by the end of March 2014, and remain committed to begin commercial methanol production at Natgasoline LLC in Q4 2016.”
