Company GTL Resources PLC
TIDM GTL
Headline Gains Australian Funding
Released 07:00 9 Oct 2003
Number 6894Q






RNS Number:6894Q
GTL Resources PLC
09 October 2003

Immediate Release: 07.00am 9 October 2003

GTL Resources PLC ("GTL")

GTL gains Australian Government infrastructure funding of A$35.4 million


The Chairman of GTL Resources PLC has today confirmed the company will proceed
to finalise the construction and financing of a 1million tonne p.a. methanol
plant on the Burrup Peninsula in regional Western Australia.


The decision was confirmed following an offer from the Australian Government to
provide support for vital common use infrastructure for the region. The value of
this investment incentive is up to A$35.4million and is subject to final
documentation.


The GTL project value is in excess of A$700million and will create 600 jobs
during construction and 85 once operational.


"Today marks a new beginning for the Australian methanol industry," said
Chairman, Mr Peter Middleton.


"This project is the primary focus for GTL. It is the right size for Australia
and the right size for the international market," said Mr Middleton.


The company has secured a 15-year sales agreement for 100% of the output.


Australia is uniquely placed to develop methanol with strong reserves of natural
gas and proximity to large markets in Asia.


Construction is expected to begin in Q1 2004. Once operational, the GTL project
is expected to be in the top ten exporters from Western Australia.


GTL is grateful for the support of the Federal Agency, Invest Australia, and the
Western Australian Government in the process to date.


GTL will continue to work closely with both the Federal and State Governments in
delivering this project.

For further information:


London:

GTL Resources PLC
Peter Middleton, Chairman +44 (0)20 7493 3393

Buchanan Communications
Tim Thompson / Catherine Miles +44 (0)20 7466 5000


Australia:


Parker & Partners Public Affairs
Melissa Cheesman +61 (0)414 254 717


Notes to Editor:


GTL Resources plc:


The name GTL Resources plc (GTL) reflects the Company's core activity, which is
the application of technologies for the conversion of stranded natural gas into
marketable liquid products. Gas to Liquids...G-T-L.


GTL Resources plc is a publicly listed company on the Alternative Investment
Market of the London Stock Exchange.


GTL is the sponsor of the project and has created two subsidiary companies
registered in Australia, GTL Holdings Australia Pty Limited, from which the
equity portion of financing will be derived and Liquigaz Pty Ltd, the company
which will manage the project.


Gas to liquids and methanol:


Gas to Liquids is a term encompassing a number of processes, whereby gas
previously without a market can be exploited as a liquid thus creating
commercial value. In our case we are talking about converting gas into methanol.


Australia has the necessary requirements to support the development of a Gas to
Liquids industry; large gas resources, easy access to potential markets and a
low level of country risk.


Methanol is a clear, colourless liquid, a basic chemical building block used to
produce formaldehyde, acetic acid and a variety of other chemical
intermediaries. Methanol is also widely used to make MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl
ether) an additive used in cleaner-burning gasoline. It is used in the
production of plastics and as such has the potential to spawn a plastics
industry.


Methanol is produced from natural gas through a process of steam reforming,
synthesis and distillation.


The project:


The aim of the project is to construct a plant just north of Withnell Bay,
Dampier Western Australia capable of converting stranded gas into methanol. The
plant will be capable of producing approximately one million tonnes of methanol
per year for sale within the Asia market, the fastest growing methanol market in
the world.


The key facts on the project are:


Construction of a A$700million plus, 3,000 tonne/day methanol plant at
Dampier on the Burrup Peninsula, WA;
Production and exports of 1million tonnes per annum valued up to
A$350million;
600 jobs during construction and 85 once operational; and an
Off-take agreement in place already for 100% of the product for 15 years.


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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