The GTL Consortium includes Airbus, QSTP, Rolls Royce, Shell, Qatar Petroleum and WOQOD.

Seven months ago, Qatar Airways, Qatar Science & Technology Park and US-based Verno Systems Inc. embarked on a comprehensive and detailed feasibility study on sustainable Biomass-to-Liquid (BTL) jet fuel and possible by-products such as renewable diesel.

This study looked at all available bio feedstocks that would not affect the food or fresh water supply chain. It also looked at existing and future production technologies with a viability analysis. Based on the result of this in-depth study, the partners have agreed to establish the “Qatar Advanced Biofuel Platform” (QABP) which will lead activities in the following four areas.

• A detailed engineering and implementation plan for economically viable and sustainable biofuel production;

• A biofuel investment strategy;

• An advanced technology development program; and

• Ongoing market and strategic analysis.

These activities will be built on, and primarily motivated by, the objective of executing advanced biofuel projects, with Qatar Airways initially as a dedicated end-user. QABP will be structured so that it can be expanded to include additional projects, technologies, investments and partnerships globally.

QABP will take a portfolio approach to the development of advanced biofuels across feedstocks, technologies and geographies in order to meet short-, medium- and long-term goals. Specific feed stocks have been identified which could be developed and processed with the aim of providing access to BTL jet fuel for use by Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways says that, together with Qatar Science & Technology Park, Qatar Petroleum and leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus, it aims to make the State of Qatar one of the global leaders for advanced biofuels.

Following along the Airbus Alternative Fuels Roadmap, by launching this new initiative with Qatar Airways, we have taken yet another important step to reach carbon neutral growth in the aviation sector by 2020. This industry-wide cooperation will achieve real progress in finding sustainable fuel alternatives.

—Tom Enders, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer

In September 2009, Airbus welcomed the latest steps towards the approval by ASTM International for the use of a 50% synthetic jet fuel in commercial aviation. Synthetic liquid jet fuels can be made from biomass, natural gas or coal. All of these are known as xTL fuels. (Earlier post.)

Christian Dumas, Airbus Vice President Sustainable Development and Eco-Efficiency at the time said that the ASTM decision paved the way for a 100% xTL blend made entirely from bio feedstock, such as woodchip waste. The Airbus Alternative Fuels roadmap estimates that some 30% of jet fuel used in 2030 could be sustainable biojet fuel if maturity of alternative high yield non-food feedstock occurs in the middle of the next decade.

Qatar Airways currently operates a fleet of 76 aircraft to 85 destinations worldwide. Qatar Airways will operate a fleet of 120 aircraft by 2013. The airline has ordered 80 Airbus A350s, 24 Airbus A320 Family of aircraft, 60 Boeing 787s and 32 Boeing 777s, with deliveries of the latter having started in November 2007. The airline has aircraft orders for more than 220 jets worth more than US$40 billion and is one of the customers of the twin-deck Airbus A380 ‘super jumbos’ with five on order and scheduled for delivery from 2012, by which time the New Doha International Airport would have opened.

Qatar Petroleum is a state-owned corporation responsible for all phases of the oil and gas industry in Qatar. The principal activities of Qatar Petroleum and its subsidiaries and joint ventures cover exploration, drilling and production operations, transport, storage, marketing and sale of crude oil, natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas, refined products, petrochemicals and fertilizers.

Verno Systems is a Seattle, Washington-based company which provides non-advocate advisory and management services in the biofuel industry. Verno offers a market research and strategic advisory service together with management of capital investments, project management, and market representation for its clients.