Any New Coal Liquefied Project Unapproved  

  China has discontinued to grant any new coal-to-oil projects nationwide, except for the two facilities conducted by Shenhua Group, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) released on September 4th.   Beijing-based Shenhua Group is building a coal-to-petrochemicals facility in Erodos, Inner Mongolia, which is scheduled for startup in the second half of 2008.
    In addition, Shenhua Ningxia Coal Industry Group Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Shenhua Group and Ningxia autonomous regional government, is partnering with South Africa-based Sasol for building a large-scale coal-to-liquids facility at Ningdong, Ningxia region, which has received approval by the NDRC and is in progress of a feasibility study.  (CCR2008 No. 18)   'The move aims to control operation risk of the coal-to-oil industry in China because of an uncertainty in process, management, market and profit,' the NDRC said.
   The commission also called on local governments not to approve any new coal-to-oil projects.