Marubeni Eyes to Commercialize Coal Gasification Biz in Vietnam

Tokyo, Aug. 13 (Jiji Press)–Japanese trading house Marubeni Corp. said Monday it has reached a basic agreement on jointly commercializing underground coal gasification technology with Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Group and Linc Energy Ltd. of Australia.

Under the deal, the three firms will cooperate in commercializing the technology at a coal mine in Vietnam’s Red River Delta, which has estimated reserves of 30 billion tons, Marubeni said.

Underground coal gasification uses injection and production wells drilled from the surface to extract gas directly and at relatively low cost. The gas obtained can be used for power generation or for liquifying to produce diesel oil, according to Marubeni.

Marubeni hopes that the tie-up will lead to a launch of power generation and diesel oil operations in Vietnam in the future, a company official said.END

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