GTL Americas (GTLA) is set to build a large facility 13 miles north of Pine Bluff in Jefferson County, Arkansas, to produce 1.7 million gallons of environmentally-friendly motor fuel. They have partnered with Hyundai ENG America, Inc., and S&B Engineers and Constructors, Ltd., for the design and construction of this project on an 1,800-acre site.
Construction could commence in 18 months and is expected to be completed by 2029. Initially priced at $3.5 billion, it will be the largest industrial project in Arkansas’ history and will employ 225 workers, with costs anticipated to rise over time.
The facility aims to convert natural gas into ultra-clean transportation fuels, including diesel, naphtha, and jet fuel, and will generate 150 MW of carbon-free steam electricity. It will also create approximately 2,500 construction jobs. The project is backed by Energy Security Partners, Hanwha Petrochemicals, and the Arkansas Teachers Retirement Funds.
Arkansas was selected due to its central location, access to transportation infrastructure, and its position outside the hurricane zone. The facility will be the only one of its kind in the U.S., with products distributed via truck, rail, marine barge, and a potential pipeline connection to reach regional, national, and international markets.