Two weeks ago, Shell Australia company chairman, Dr Alan Parsley, ruled out Australia as a site for development of its new gas-to-liquids technology after an investigation into building a second generation Shell middle distillate synthesis (SMDS) plant in Australia had not produced a commercial project.
Speaking at industry conference in Brunei, a senior Shell executive said the company is still "maturing" the prospect and was confident that next year, Shell would make it clear where the next plant is to be located.
Last month, Shell identified as many as seven locations for the plant including Egypt, Indonesia as well as Trinidad and Tobago.
The oil giant said late last year that Argentina, Iran and Malaysia were the front runners for a site, which could be in production by 2006.
