Industry: Energy, Chemicals & Industrial Gases
Application: Synthesis Gas (H2 + CO) Production
Asset Type: Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) Plant
Plant Capacity: 18,500 Nm³/hr (653,000 SCFH)

The Challenge: A Fully Built Syngas Plant, Sitting Unused

A leading North American energy company had invested heavily in a Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) initiative, anchored by a high-capacity HyCO plant engineered for synthesis gas production. The facility was completed, test-run, and mechanically sound — but due to a shift in strategic direction, the GTL project was shelved before full operations began.

What remained was a $50M+ asset — idle, underutilized, and tying up valuable site space and capital.

That’s when Phoenix Equipment stepped in.

Phoenix’s Role: Turning a Stranded Plant into a Strategic Opportunity

Phoenix Equipment identified the dormant plant’s long-term value and moved swiftly to acquire it on speculation — no buyer lined up, just confidence in its market viability.

We then led a comprehensive preservation and relocation effort, including:

• 3D laser scanning and detailed matchmarking
• Professional dismantling and labeling
• Secure storage and logistics coordination
• Complete documentation, including P&IDs and mechanical data

By assuming ownership and handling every step, we enabled the original owner to:

• Recoup capital quickly
• Eliminate environmental and site liabilities
• Clear the site for future development

What Made This Syngas Plant So Valuable?

Unlike standard hydrogen units, this plant was designed to produce a controlled H2/CO ratio — true synthesis gas — opening the door to multiple downstream uses:

• Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
• Oxo-alcohols, acetic acid, or methanol production
• Formaldehyde and other gas-based chemicals
• Syngas platforms for clean fuels or alternative energy

Its flexibility was key. And with a PSA system, the unit could also be adapted for high-purity hydrogen production — making it even more attractive to future-focused buyers.

The Right Buyer, Without the Wait

With the plant safely dismantled and stored, we launched a targeted outreach strategy to connect with:

• Multinational chemical producers
• Industrial gas providers
• Advanced energy companies
• Blue hydrogen developers

The result: We placed the unit with a global chemical manufacturer seeking to fast-track syngas-based production — bypassing the 2–3 year wait for new-build capacity.

The Outcome: Smart Recovery, Sustainable Results

For the Seller:

• Monetized an idle, non-core asset
• Avoided costly demolition and site maintenance
• Freed up real estate for future expansion

For the Buyer:

• Acquired a high-volume plant at a fraction of the new-build cost
• Accelerated production timelines by years
• Retained hydrogen conversion potential for future needs

For the Environment:

• Reused thousands of tons of steel and processing equipment
• Significantly reduced embodied carbon footprint

Takeaway: Stranded Assets Don’t Have to Stay Stranded

This case demonstrates what’s possible when foresight meets execution. With Phoenix Equipment, process plants that no longer serve one business can power the next — sustainably, strategically, and efficiently.

Next Up: Another Hydrogen Plant, Ready to Redeploy

Following this successful project, we’re offering another hydrogen production plant with:

• Capacity: 2,266 Nm³/hr (80,000 SCFH)
• Status: Fully dismantled, matchmarked, and warehoused
• Design: Built for high-purity hydrogen
• Availability: Immediate

Explore the Listing: Hydrogen Plant – 2,266 Nm³/hr

Need to Unlock the Value in an Idle Plant?

Whether you’re holding underused assets or seeking fast-turnaround capacity for syngas or hydrogen production — we can help. Contact us today, and we will be happy to assist you with all your plant sale and acquisition needs.