Challenged in the near term, but too early to write off

GTL has the potential to be a viable alternative to LNG for monetising gas reserves, especially in today's high oil-price environment. But an essential prerequisite to rekindle interest in the industry will be to address the issue of technical risk. By Rajnish Goswami, vice-president, gas and power consulting, Asia and Middle East, and Alan Gelder, vice-president, downstream oil consulting, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Wood Mackenzie