Uzbekistan GTL delivers first synthetic diesel

TASHKENT. July 7 (Interfax) - The Uzbekistan GTL plant has begun producing synthetic diesel fuel and has delivered the first batch of 10 tonnes to the Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company (NMMC), Uzbekistan's oil and gas monopoly, Uzbekneftegaz said.

The first shipment of gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuel was used for testing on Caterpillar and BelAZ mining machinery at NMMC.

"The tests demonstrated the better technical, operating and environmental indicators of GTL diesel. The delivery of 5,000 tonnes of diesel fuel for NMMC needs is planned for the near future. The purchases will be made through the trading platform of the Uzbek Commodity Exchange," the company said.

The company said the GTL diesel complies fully with the Euro 6 environmental standard, has high technical characteristics and low emissions with almost zero sulphur content. It can be used in diesel engines on its own or in a blend. Using GTL diesel dramatically reduces emissions of pollutants compared to conventional diesel fuel, and its clean and complete burn reduces engine deposits. This, in turn, extends the service life of machinery and reduces maintenance costs.

Uzbekistan GTL produced its first batch of synthetic oil, the main feedstock for production of synthetic diesel, jet fuel, naphtha and liquefied gas, in the middle of June. The $3.42 billion Uzbekistan GTL plant in Qashqadaryo Region, southwest Uzbekistan, opened in December 2021. The plant produces liquid synthetic fuel from stripped methane from the Shurtan Gas Chemical Complex.