ITPBusiness.net {Features: Future fuel plant opens}: "Qatar moved closer to dominating the world supply of natural gas and its refined products last month, when it inaugurated the world�s largest gas to liquids (GTL) plant.

Qatar�s emir Sheikh Hamad Al Thani inaugurated the US $950 million, first-of-its-kind, Oryx GTL plant that converts natural gas into a fuel similar to diesel, in Ras Laffan Industrial City.

�The Oryx GTL project has established the foundation Qatar needs to realise its ambitions of becoming the world�s GTL capital. Qatar is fortunate to have access to one of the world�s largest known non-associated natural gas fields, the North Field, which provides an important platform for pursuing new economic growth and diversification opportunities,� Qatar�s second deputy premier and minister of energy and industry Abdullah Al Attiyah said.

Oryx GTL is a joint venture between state-owned Qatar Petroleum (QP) (51%) and South African-based petrochemical company, Sasol Ltd (49%). Foster Wheeler is the engineering partner for Sasol�s GTL projects.

Pat Davies, chief executive, Sasol, said, �Oryx GTL is a defining moment in the growth in a whole new industry. GTL will grow here in Qatar and, as a result of this ground-breaking venture, also in many other parts of the world.

Sasol is proud to have worked with Qatar Petroleum, Chevron and partners like Foster Wheeler in developing this exciting new industry. We are at the threshold of providing the world with an attractive alternative to crude-derived transportation fuels.�

GTL is Qatar�s answer to the tantalising blessing and conundrum that Qatar�s geographical location gives it: a country with the worlds� biggest gas reserve, but a long way from major markets and pipeline netw"