Sasol Works On Oryx Fix

South African player Sasol said today it aims to resolve problems at its Oryx Gas-To-Liquids (GTL) plant as soon as possible, but until then the joint venture will only make a marginal cash contribution, hitting its shares.

The plant, in Qatar, is operating at lower-than-planned levels Sasol said. "The remaining technical challenges will be resolved as speedily as possible so that full production can be achieved," Lean Strauss, group general manager of Sasol International Energy business told Reuters.

Oryx, the world's largest commercial GTL plant, with a capacity for 34,000bpd, was officially opened last June, but technical problems have delayed production.

Oryx GTL is a joint venture between Sasol and state-run Qatar Petroleum. Sasol has a 49% stake in the project while Qatar Petroleum holds the remainder.

Chevron will carry out most of the marketing of the ultra-clean 'green diesel' in Europe and North America, Reuters reported.