BOL kicks off bids for coal to liquids plant

Source: Mmegi Online
Author: Mbongeni Mguni

Botswana Oil (BOL) has opened bidding for the eagerly anticipated Coal to Liquids (CTL) project, which aims to tap the billions of coal in the country to produce 12,000 barrels of oil per day or more than 50% of annual consumption.

Interested bidders have until December 22 to submit their proposals for the project, which will be developed on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. According to the bidding note published recently by Botswana Oil, investors will be required to design, build, finance and operate the plant based on an off-take agreement with the state oil firm.

"The project will be tendered on a turnkey basis and Botswana Oil is looking for a single consortium to provide all aspects of the project, technical, design, environmental, construction, commissioning and financing under a Public Private Partnership agreement," reads the bidder's note. "The project also entails operating and maintaining the facility for a specified period, and ultimately transferring it back to the Botswana government at the end of the operation and maintenance period."