Posted on 11/03/2005 6:32:41 PM PST by Brian328i
TULSA, Okla. -- Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer visited a demonstration plant that converts natural gas into synthetic diesel fuel and said the process could help wean the country off foreign oil.
This technology could also be used to make diesel fuel from coal, which is in abundance in Montana.
"The country has two options for energy until we build a bridge to a hydrogen economy," Schweitzer said in a visit Wednesday to the Syntroleum Corp. plant. "We can either continue to give money to dictators who want to destroy our way of life, or we can provide tens of thousands of jobs in America's heartland."
Montana contains about 120 billion tons of easily recoverable coal, Schweitzer said.
Syntroleum President and Chief Executive Officer Jack Holmes said his company's process could diversify the country's fuel sources.
"The biggest cost of getting coal is physically transporting it," Holmes said. "Governor Schweitzer realizes we can build our plants at the mine mouths and provide good jobs for Montana citizens. We can make the finished product right there and supply the local demand. It's a win-win for everybody."
Schweitzer and Holmes said the synthetic diesel is affordable at current prices, costing about $35 to $40 a barrel, well below Wednesday's New York Mercantile Exchange price of $59.70 for a barrel of crude oil, but significantly higher than the product has netted for much of the past 20 years.
Over the past two years, the company has moved its processes from research and development to implementation. Syntroleum operates a 70 barrel-per-day demonstration plant, but no commercially viable plants are operational.
Really? I always thought that a "barrel" was a standard 55 US gallons.
I don't live near a population center, so I'm covered.
It varies considerably depending on the quality of the crude.
From American Petroleum Institute (API) statistics an average barrel (42 gallons) will produce 46% gasoline, 22% diesel, 10% jet fuel, 5.5% heavy fuel oil, and the remaining 16.5% would be everything else including lubricants, asphalt, petrochemical feedstocks, etc.
Generally speaking though, most crudes yield between 10% to 30% diesel and most refineries produce in this range but there can be significant deviations. North Sea Brent produces about 15% to 16% diesel range material. (source)
There's nothing "standard" about a barrel unless associated with a specific commodity.
For instance, a "barrel" of beer = 31 gallons
I don't know if I've ever even SEEN a full keg of beer, only half-barrels (regular "kegs") and quarter barrels.
C'mon, WG, you've seen LOTS of full kegs... (and lots of empties too.)
You must mean you've never seen a full BARREL of beer.
If they have nat gas falling out of the ground, so to speak, they need to make the best use of it. They'd get a better netback sending it here.
Rgr...now if you are just sure you dont live near a military asset..or more coorectly...down wind....heh heh
Half way between Minot, ND and Great Falls, MT. Although this area is used for low flying maneuvers by B-52's stationed at Minot AFB.
Ok...so we all meet at your place....LOL
Dont shoot at the red 73" pontiac...I'll be bringing food and ammo...*grin*
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