Headwaters And CONSOL Energy Form Alliance To Explore Coal-To-Liquids Developments
South Jordan, UT - Headwaters Incorporated recently announced that it has formed an alliance with CONSOL Energy, Inc. to investigate development of coal-based liquid fuels refineries utilizing CONSOL Energy's eastern and western coal reserves.
Under the agreement, Headwaters and CONSOL Energy will work together to perform preliminary engineering, environmental and marketing activities related to potential development of several CONSOL Energy sites. These activities would support the construction of one or more coal-based facilities to produce ultra clean liquid transportation fuels such as diesel, gasoline, LPG, and jet fuel. The facilities will be carbon dioxide capture-ready and may produce certain petrochemical feedstocks.
"Coal-to-liquids technologies represent an exciting new market for the American coal industry," said Brett Harvey, President and Chief Executive Officer of CONSOL Energy. "Using our most abundant domestic energy resource to reduce dependence on foreign oil can significantly increase our nation's energy security. CONSOL Energy is proud to work with Headwaters to make that important vision become a reality."
"CONSOL has long been a world leader in coal production and energy technology development," said Kirk Benson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Headwaters. "We are pleased to combine our decades of coal-to-liquids experience with CONSOL Energy's extensive coal reserve base to plan projects that will select the most appropriate technologies for the coal types and market opportunities presented by each site."
With 4.3 billion tons of proven and recoverable coal reserves in the United States, CONSOL Energy is the largest producer of high-BTU bituminous coal in the nation. The company operates 15 mining complexes in six states.
Headwaters has deep roots in coal-to-liquids technologies. The company's proprietary Fischer-Tropsch catalyst can be used in an indirect coal liquefaction plant to convert coal-derived syngas into ultra clean diesel and other fuels. The company is also the owner of direct coal liquefaction technology that is currently being deployed or studied for deployment in China, India and the Philippines. Headwaters is also active in the traditional petroleum refining industry as it deploys its proprietary HCATM heavy oil upgrading technology.
SOURCE: Headwaters Incorporated