In the rapidly evolving landscape of energy and petrochemicals, Siluria Technologies has emerged as a groundbreaking force. Known for its revolutionary advancements in converting natural gas into high-value chemicals and fuels, Siluria is reshaping how we think about resource utilisation. With cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and a clear focus on sustainability, the company stands out as a beacon of innovation in the oil and gas sector.
The Birth of Siluria Technologies
Founded in 2008, Siluria Technologies was established with a mission to commercialise a new chemical process: the Oxidative Coupling of Methane (OCM). The company is headquartered at 409 Illinois Street, San Francisco, California, 94158, USA. With an ambitious goal to convert methane—one of the most abundant and underutilised gases—into ethylene and liquid fuels, Siluria entered the market with a vision that could alter global energy dynamics.
Its early research efforts attracted significant venture capital, with over $100 million invested by firms like Kleiner Perkins, Bright Capital, and strategic backers such as Saudi Aramco and The Linde Group.
Company Overview
Website: http://siluria.com/
Phone: Not publicly listed (managed through corporate channels)
Headquarters: 409 Illinois Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
Founded: 2008
Specialties: Methane-to-Ethylene (OCM), Ethylene-to-Liquids (ETL), Natural Gas Conversion, Green Chemistry
Company Size: 51–200 employees
Industry: Oil and Gas
Type: Privately Held (prior to acquisition)
Revolutionary Technologies: OCM and ETL
Siluria’s claim to fame is its proprietary OCM catalyst technology, which enables the direct conversion of natural gas (primarily methane) into ethylene, a fundamental building block for plastics, fibres, and many chemicals. Traditionally, ethylene is derived from crude oil via steam cracking—a process that is energy-intensive and costly.
Siluria’s OCM technology provides an alternative that is:
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More efficient
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Less capital-intensive
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Environmentally sustainable
In addition, Siluria developed its ETL (Ethylene-to-Liquids) platform, which transforms the ethylene produced from OCM into liquid fuels like petrol, diesel, and jet fuel. This two-step process allows natural gas to replace crude oil in the production of transport fuels.
Key Facilities and Locations
Siluria Technologies operates from several strategic locations across the United States:
San Francisco, CA – The main corporate and R&D office
Hayward, CA (Cabot Blvd) – Location of the ETL pilot facility for liquid fuel production
La Porte, TX (Strang Road) – Site of the world’s first demonstration-scale OCM plant, launched in partnership with Braskem in 2015
These facilities form the foundation for Siluria’s industrial validation and pilot testing, enabling seamless scaling for commercial deployment.
Acquisition and the Lummus Transition
In 2019, Siluria Technologies was acquired by McDermott International, a major engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm. This strategic move ensured that Siluria’s pioneering technology would reach global markets.
Following McDermott’s restructuring in 2020–2021, the technology assets of Siluria were transferred to Lummus Technology, a division focused on petrochemical and refining technologies. Lummus continues to hold the intellectual property and manages the ongoing development and commercialisation of Siluria’s OCM and ETL platforms.
This transition has brought Siluria’s innovations into a broader industrial ecosystem, significantly increasing the potential for real-world application and scalability.
Strategic Importance and Global Impact
The energy sector is under immense pressure to decarbonise, reduce reliance on crude oil, and leverage alternative resources. Natural gas is widely available and cleaner-burning than oil or coal, yet historically underutilised in producing high-value chemicals and fuels.
Siluria’s technology unlocks this potential, offering:
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Cost-effective alternatives to traditional oil refining
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Modular and scalable systems for remote or gas-rich regions
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Reduced CO₂ emissions compared to existing petrochemical processes
Its innovations could particularly benefit regions with significant natural gas reserves but limited refining infrastructure—opening new avenues for energy independence and economic development.
What Sets Siluria Apart?
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First-to-Market Demonstration: No other company had built a commercial-scale OCM plant before Siluria’s La Porte facility.
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High Conversion Efficiency: Siluria’s process converts methane with high selectivity and yield, outperforming older Fischer-Tropsch techniques.
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Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with energy giants like Braskem, Aramco, and Linde helped validate and scale their approach.
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Environmental Benefit: By using methane (which is 25x more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO₂), Siluria offers a technology that mitigates flaring and emissions.
Commercial Applications and Use Cases
Siluria’s technologies are designed for both chemical production and fuel manufacturing. Key use cases include:
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Petrochemical plants looking to integrate low-cost ethylene production
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Gas-rich developing economies seeking to monetise natural gas without large-scale crude imports
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Remote industrial sites aiming to convert stranded gas into usable transport fuel
Furthermore, their modular technology approach allows for deployment in diverse geographies, from the Middle East to North America.
The Future of Siluria’s Innovation
Though no longer operating independently, Siluria Technologies’ innovations live on through Lummus Technology. The continued licensing, improvement, and integration of OCM and ETL systems into global facilities demonstrate a promising path forward.
In a world demanding greener fuels and more efficient chemical production, Siluria’s legacy could become the new norm in how we process hydrocarbons.
Conclusion: A Lasting Impact
Siluria Technologies began with a bold vision: to unlock the potential of methane as a feedstock for chemicals and fuels. Today, through strategic acquisitions and ongoing innovation, that vision is becoming a commercial reality.
For those interested in advanced gas-to-liquids technology or sustainable chemical engineering, more information can be found on their official site: http://siluria.com/
