Velocys plc, a company specializing in smaller scale gas-to-liquids (GTL) plants, announced that construction of ENVIA Energy's GTL plant in Oklahoma City is now complete. Houston, TX-based ENVIA Energy is a joint venture announced in March 2014 between Waste Management, NRG Energy, Ventech Engineers and Velocys. In February, Velocys increased its financial contribution to gain greater ownership and voting rights and subsequently was able to take a bigger management role.

On-site loading of catalyst into the Fischer-Tropsch reactors has been completed by Velocys with support from its internationally-recognised partner, Mourik.

Pre-commissioning work, including hydro-testing of the lines and vessels, and a rigorous inspection process, is substantially complete. The team said extensive and detailed preparations has made; operating manuals and procedures have been completed and robust commissioning and start-up plans are in place. In line with best practice, the commissioning plan will ensure that each process system in sequence is working robustly, safely, and within specification, in order to best assure a successful, safe and uneventful plant start up. Early commissioning steps have begun.

David Pummell, CEO of Velocys, said "Operational start-up of the ENVIA plant is now within sight; its successful steady state operation will represent the next seminal milestone for Velocys and a significant step for the smaller scale GTL industry. Velocys and its partners continue to work together on site in a high-performing professional collaboration and I remain confident that we will continue to build on this progress to deliver a safe and successful start-up of the plant in the near future, and the timely production of in-specification product."

U.K.-based Oxford Catalysts Group PLC changed its name to Velocys plc in September 2013.

Velocys acquired Pinto Energy and the Ashtabula GTL project in mid-2014. In July of this year, the company announced it was halting development of the 5,000 barrels per day GTL plant in Ashtabula, Ohio, pending reassessment as part of a broad review of the strategy of the business that Velocys is undertaking.

Velocys turns natural gas or biomass into premium products such as diesel, jet fuel, waxes and base oils. Smaller scale GTL adds value to a range of gas and biomass resources, and makes stranded or flared gas economic – an untapped market of up to 25 million barrels per day.

Velocys technology, protected by several hundred patents in over 30 countries, is specifically designed for smaller scales, combining super-active catalysts with intensified reactor systems. The Company's standardised modular plants are easier to ship and faster to install, at lower risk, even in the most remote or challenging locations. Together with world-class partners, Velocys works flexibly to unlock gas resources of 15,000 to 150,000 mmbtu per day, allowing more companies to take advantage of more opportunities.

Velocys plc has a strong, multi-disciplinary staff operating from its commercial centre in Houston, Texas, USA and technical facilities near Oxford, UK and Columbus, Ohio, USA.