Canada to get first biomass/gas-to-liquids facility

CALGARY – Expander Energy Inc. (Expander) and Vanderwell Contractors (1971) Ltd. (Vanderwell), an Alberta-based, family-owned company, will build Canada’s first commercial demonstration Biomass/Gas to Liquids facility (BGTL) in the Slave Lake area of Alberta.

The plant will produce clean burning synthetic biodiesel (trade named SynDiesel and SynJet)from a variety of biomass feedstocks.

The BGTL project will be completed in two stages. Phase 1 will be the installation of a gasifier and GTL unit with expected production capacity of 120 BPD of synthetic fuel. On completion and testing of Phase 1 the companies will proceed with Phase 2 to increase the capacity of the plant to 500 BPD.

Expander has developed and patented the BGTL technology to be used in the facility and has the expertise to build plants of this magnitude. Vanderwell brings over 70 years of expertise in the forestry industry, and will provide a sustainable biomass feedstock and a location for the facility.

“There is a huge market for “drop-in” biofuels that are clean, renewable fuel additives and/or alternatives to regular diesel and jet fuel, which are wanted by both consumers and governments right now. Now is a perfect time to commence our BGTL project and we are delighted to be working with Vanderwell Contractors,” said Steve Price, Expander’s CEO.

“We have been looking for an opportunity to add value to our waste forestry residuals, in a more economic and environmentally friendly manner,” said Ken Vanderwell, president of Vanderwell. “Expander’s innovative facility, which will produce biofuel from waste forestry residuals fits perfectly into this vision of adding value to a waste by-product of our mill.”

Expander (and partner Rocky Mountain GTL) is in the final stages of construction of a 500 BPD Gas to Liquids (GTL) facility in Carseland Alberta. The core technology proven in this GTL facility will be used in the BGTL facility at Slave Lake.

Expander Energy Inc. is a privately held energy company located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Vanderwell Contractors (1971) Ltd. has been in the Alberta forest industry for over 70 years managing, harvesting, processing and selling forest products and related residuals.