Beluga Coal-to-Liquids (CTL)

PacRim Coal is pursuing a possible coal mine in large deposits on the Chuitna River near Cook Inlet and this could supply coal to a coal-to-liquids (CTL) facility in nearby Beluga. This facility has been suggested as an 80,000 barrels (approximately 40,000 tons of coal) per day integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) plant called "Alaska Natural Resources to Liquids", at an estimated cost at $5 billion in 2006. The initial $1.5 million feasibility study has been completed.

This project is still in the idea stage, with no firm plans or permit applications, and is contingent on the development of the proposed Chuitna Coal strip mine. The fuel produced at this facility would to be exported to the West Coast of the US.

This facility would theoretically offset some of the cost of carbon capture and sequestration by pumping the excess CO₂ into existing nearby oil and gas fields to enhance yields of these fossil fuels. However, a feasibility analysis4.1 Mb undertaken for the failed Kenai Blue Sky Project examined the CO₂ storage and/or recovery options for Cook Inlet and determined that under most projections this wouldn't be economically viable.

Current Status

While no progress has been made on this project in years, a very similar proposal using newer technology was put forward by Tyonek Native Corporation (TNC) in 2010.

Date Created: Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:55:38 -0800

Last Modified: Thu, 23 Dec 2010 12:35:45 -0900