Often, associated gas is produced parallel with crude oil. In remote regions (e.g. Russia, Siberia) this gas is usually flared or vented into atmosphere, as no local gas infrastructure or market exists. Chemical conversion of natural gas, especially gas-to-liquid technology (GTL) based on the Fischer-Tropsch
synthesis, could be a viable option to utilize associated gas. Generated GTL products are liquid fuels (diesel, naphtha, etc.) that can be mixed with crude oil and easily transported through existing oil pipelines. The aim of this diploma thesis is to describe and to compare existing GTL processes suitable to convert relatively small amounts of associated gas produced in remote locations into liquid synthetic fuels (diesel, naphtha, etc.). Furthermore, economic viability and profitability of GTL plants are evaluated based on the life-cycle production
costs of GTL products, capital (CAPEX) and operating expenditures (OPEX) required for a GTL plant, transportation costs, etc. At first general possibilities for utilization of associated gas and processes to convert natural gas (associated gas) into liquid synthetic fuels (diesel, naphtha, etc.) are presented. The basic GTL process that consists of three steps: 1. Syngas production, 2. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and 3. Product upgrading/Hydrocracking, is then described in detail. Afterwards, several configurations of the GTL process developed by different companies are described and optimal processes to convert relatively small amounts of associated gas into liquid hydrocarbons are covered in more detail. Flow diagrams were also drawn for these processes. In the last chapters transportation of generated GTL products and economics of GTL plants are
discussed.