Black & Veatch announced it has been selected by NiQuan Energy to assess the cost, scope and schedule for completion of its Petrotrin gas to liquids (GTL) facility in Pointe-à-Pierre, Trinidad and Tobago.

The GTL process converts natural gas to longer-chain hydrocarbons that can be used for transportation or other liquid fuels. GTL is a leading refining process for the production of low-emission fuels.

“Our review will provide NiQuan with an analysis of Petrotrin’s assets. We will know what it will take to bring the facility online and help realize the potential for GTL-derived fuels,” said Doug Miller, vice president of Black & Veatch’s oil and gas business. “GTL fuels will provide low emissions and improve the resiliency of the fuel supply in Trinidad and Tobago.”

Petrotrin was about 85 percent completed before it was placed in receivership in 2009 and later acquired by NiQuan. Black & Veatch will perform a detailed review of plant engineering design and specifications, its structural and mechanical integrity and adherence to applicable codes. The company will provide design specification for completion of the facility, a project schedule and an overall cost estimate.

The review will involve the use of Black & Veatch alliance partner Emerging Fuels Technology Inc.’s (EFT) proprietary Advanced Fixed Bed Fischer-Tropsch catalyst. The synthesis catalyst maximizes production of transportation fuels and other high value products from natural gas in the GTL process. As alliance partners, Black & Veatch and EFT provide a comprehensive EPC solution for projects using the Fischer-Tropsch system.

About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch is an employee-owned, global leader in building critical human infrastructure in Energy, Water, Telecommunications and Government Services. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people in over 100 countries through consulting, engineering, construction, operations and program management. Our revenues in 2014 were US$3 billion.