Representing Sasol, Group General Manager Lean Strauss this week met with Deputy Prime-Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Holding Company (NHC) "Uzbekneftegaz", Ergash Shaismatov and Vice President Corporate Planning & Development Division of PETRONAS, Datuk Nasarudin Ð’ M Idris for the signing ceremony in the country’s capital of Tashkent.

This occasion follows the signing of the Heads of Agreement by the Chief Executive of Sasol, Pat Davies and President and Chief Executive Officer of PETRONAS, Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican in April 2009 and marks continuing progress made between the partners, culminating in the signing of this Joint Venture Agreement.

The GTL facility will employ the proprietary Sasol Slurry Phase Distillate (SPD™) process to annually produce in the order of 1.3 million tonnes of superior quality products such as GTL Diesel, GTL Kerosene, GTL Naphtha and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Sasol’s SPD™ is highly sought after worldwide as the process produces a clean burning, high performance fuel for diesel engines.

The project now moves into the feasibility phase which will be overseen by a joint venture company to be formed between the three partners.