INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) – LONG-DURATION FLEET DEPLOYMENT OF A MODULAR PLANT FOR FLARE ELIMINATION AND LOW-CARBON METHANOL PRODUCTION
THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE THIS PROJECT WILL USE MODULAR, TRANSPORTABLE GAS-TO-METHANOL (GTM) SYSTEM, TO CONVERT STRANDED, ASSOCIATED (WELLHEAD) GAS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE FLARED TO LOW-CARBON METHANOL FOR USE AS LOW CARBON FUEL FOR MARINE SHIPPING AND DERIVATIVE LOW-CARBON CHEMICALS. THERE ARE FOUR CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS TO ACHIEVING THIS GOAL. FIRST, THE RECIPIENT WILL SUCCESSFULLY ELIMINATE METHANE EMISSIONS FROM STRANDED WELLHEAD SOURCES. TWO PROJECT SITES IN DUNN AND MCKENZIE COUNTIES, NORTH DAKOTA ARE COMMITTED TO THIS PROJECT. SECOND, THE RECIPIENT WILL MATURE THE TECHNOLOGY FROM TRL 7 TO 8 BY OPERATING IN THE FIELD FOR LONGER CONTINUOUS PERIODS (12+ MONTHS). THIS ASSURES EXPOSURE TO A VARIETY OF SEVERE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. FURTHER, THIS WILL TRAIN LOCAL TALENT FOR EMPLOYMENT IN SUPPORT OF FUTURE PROJECTS. THIRD, THE RECIPIENT WILL DEMONSTRATE THE HUB-AND-SPOKE METHANOL SUPPLY MODEL. BY DEPLOYING TWO GTM PLANTS (EXPECTED TO BE FURTHER SCALED IN FUTURE) THIS SHOWS COLLECTION OF THE PRODUCED LOW-CARBON METHANOL. PARTNER MONUMENT CHEMICAL WILL PROVIDE UPGRADING, STORAGE, AND TRANSPORT AND VALIDATE PRODUCT QUALITY. FOURTH, THE RECIPIENT WILL BUILD OPERATING BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE TRANSACTION PROCESSES OF A FUNCTIONAL BUSINESS. THIS INCLUDES DOCUMENTATION OF QUALITY SAMPLING PROCESS, PURCHASING/BILLING, DISTRIBUTION, AND LONGER-TERM COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS WITH MONUMENT, ENCINO AND OTHERS.$5,999,720
· FY2025 · Department of Energy