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.