A move that strengthens its case against Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), the Tata group has told the government that the technology proposed by its partner, Sasol of South Africa, is the most suited for setting up the country's first $8-billion coal-to-liquid (CTL) project.
While there are 22 contenders for setting up India's first CTL project, which would have a capacity to produce 80,000 barrels of oil a day, the joint venture of Tata Sons and Tata Industries with Sasol-SETSL-is a frontrunner along with RIL. While making a strong pitch for the technology proposed by Sasol for the project, the Tatas, in a recent letter to the government, have made a specific reference to Headwaters Inc of USA, the technology partner of RIL. Its letter to the coal ministry reads, "Headwater's was originally selected to undertake the direct liquefaction project in China. However, the Chinese government has now decided, for various reasons, that the key technology development will no longer be undertaken by Headwaters but by Shenhua (part of Chinese government). This change in technology leadership has since been implemented." About its own technology partner, the Tatas have said, "Sasol's proven record in CTL is now internationally recognised from among various other technology suppliers and that the technology challenges in CTL are such that it is critical that India's first CTL project has least technology risk." Further, taking a leaf out of China's experience, the Tatas said, "The Chinese government has been evaluating various technologies for CTL, and recently, after a series of such deliberations with various technology providers of CTL, decided to go forward with two CTL projects, one of which is with Sasol." These comments by the Tata's assume significance as they come at time when the inter-ministerial group is in the process of identifying a private party offering the best CTL technology for this project. Talking about the technology risks associated with non-proven technologies, the Tatas have also stated that the Chinese government has stopped development of all other CTL projects. It said, "An order issued in August 2008 by the 'office of the NDRC' (National Development & Reform Commission) states that out of the two selected CTL projects, an Indirect Coal Liquefaction (CTL) Project of 80,000 barrels per day would be undertaken by Sasol and the Direct Coal Liquefaction Project will be undertaken by Shenhua (which is now an in-country, indigenous development project of the Chinese government)." Commenting on the nature of the technology challenges in CTL, and therefore, the need to select partners with least technology risk, the Tatas wrote, "This has been illustrated by Shell's GTL plant experience in Malaysia (other than Sasol/Sasol licensed plants). Shell is the only other company that has a running commercial scale GTL plant, while no commercial scale CTL plant exists other than with Sasol)." With crude oil prices rising, countries like India and China are seeking alternative sources of energy to fuel their economic growth. As a result, there has been a huge rush of proposals before the coal ministry from the country's big corporates, including Tata Sons-Sasol, RIL, Anil Ambani's Reliance Power, Essar, SAIl, Indian Oil, Adani, Sterlite, JSW, GMR and Gail, for setting up this project. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/tata-trashes-rils-coaltoliquid-tech/379585/ Rich get experience. Experienced get rich. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Kences1" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/kences1?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
