South Africa: Energy World Eyes Sasol in Qatar

Sasol could well be on the verge of becoming a global energy heavyweight after taking the rather courageous step of building the world’s first commercial-scale plant turning natural gas into diesel and other fuels — and doing so at what seems to be precisely the right time. If its Oryx gas-to-liquids project it opened in Qatar this week is successful, it will mark the birth of a new industry that will give the world better, cleaner fuels amid the tightening grip of oil prices.

Judging by growing investor interest and the likelihood that the energy giants of the world are keeping a close eye on Sasol in Qatar, it seems the world is starting to take note of the former state-owned South African company. The number of people attending its foreign road shows has quadrupled in the past year or two, and more global fund managers are among those, says Sasol. The group’s share price, which has doubled over the past 18 months, has started tracking those of other alternative energy companies more closely — another indication of increasing interest and understanding of what Sasol is about.

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