Louisiana Lands New Alternative Fuels Plant near Lake Charles

Louisiana is landing a new plant to convert natural gas into liquid fuels and other petroleum based products. According to the Governors office the plant will be “one of the largest industrial projects in Louisiana history.” Sasol, the South African company building the plant, has a history converting coal and other non-crued feedstocks into gasoline and diesel alternatives. The project is expected to create around 850 jobs and the LED estimates over 4,000 indirect jobs. The project is shaping up to be a big win for the communities and Governor Jindal’s economic development efforts.

Details about the project were announced last week by Gov. Bobby Jindal and Sasol’s New Business Director Ernst Oberholster. Sasol will invest an estimated $8-10 billion into the plant which is being built in Calcasieu Parish. The plant will convert natural gas from the Haynesville Shale into consumer fuels using a proprietary GTL technology. (And no, that’s gas-to-liquids not gym, tanning, or laundry)

To read more on the plant, visit the announcement on the Governor’s site here.