WESTLAKE, La. — Juniper GTL LLC will invest $100 million to renovate a dormant steam methane reformer in the Westlake area and convert it to a natural gas-to-liquids (GTL) facility, producing clean waxes, drilling fluids, diesel and naptha. Juniper GTL will create 29 new direct jobs averaging $85,000 per year, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) estimates the Westlake development will also result in an additional 112 new indirect jobs, for a total of 141 new jobs.
The Juniper GTL project, with a design production of 1,100 bpd of clean chemicals and transportation fuels, will be a forerunner of smaller commercial GTL plants. The Juniper GTL project will create an estimated 125 construction jobs.
Venture partners SGC Energia SA of Portugal and Houston-based Great Northern Project Development LP conceived the Juniper GTL project to produce clean fuels in a safe and economical manner. The first commercial GTL facility to start construction in the United States, Juniper GTL will benefit from an integrated process solution that is industrially tested and supplied under the brand name XTLH® by SGC Energia and is developed by its sponsors as a platform to grow a profitable GTL business with partners. The XTLH solution uses reliable and proven technologies.
LED began discussing the GTL project with SGC Energia in January. To secure the project, the state offered a competitive incentives package that includes the services of LED FastStart® — Louisiana’s state work force training program. The company also is expected to utilize the state’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.
Construction of Juniper GTL’s facility and management hiring, with the support of LED FastStart, began in September. Additional hiring will take place as the project nears completion in early 2015.
For more information, visit www.louisianaeconomicdevelopment.com or call (800) 450-8115.
