Gas to liquids is a term describing processes for converting natural gas into liquid fuels such as gasoline and diesel. Currently, the major gas-to-liquids production process is the Fischer-Tropsch process.
Gas-to-liquids processes have the potential to produce a range of useful fuels and chemicals. These include transportation fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and methanol. Producing liquid transportation fuels from natural gas using the Fischer-Tropsch process has been demonstrated on a large scale.
One major benefit of gas-to-liquids fuels is their compatibility with currently existing vehicle technologies and fuel distribution systems. Natural gas-derived gasoline and diesel could be transported through existing pipelines, dispensed at existing fueling stations, and used to fuel today's gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles.