About Us

Until 2001, the associated natural gas from LPG and condensate operations in Equatorial Guinea had no outlet.  In March of 1997, Noble Energy, Inc. launched a feasibility study about monetizing stranded natural gas through conversion to methanol.  CMS Energy, another operator in the region, soon joined the project and a formal development agreement was signed in September of that same year.  By March of 1998, a manufacturing and marketing agreement was signed with the Government of Equatorial Guinea.  This secured the natural gas position and created the right to build a methanol facility and market the product.

During the next three years, engineering and construction of the plant and offsite equipment proceeded in parallel with the development of an entire support community.  Since the plant site was on Bioko Island in a tropical jungle, it was necessary to build all of the needed services, including housing, medical facilities, fire protection, utilities, and maintenance and repair capabilities of all kinds.   The first commercial production of methanol from our facility in Equatorial Guinea occurred in late April 2001.  The original design capacity of the plant was 2,500 metric tons per day, or approximately 850,000 metric tons per year.  Through numerous debottlenecking and expansion projects, output has been increased to over 3,000 metric tons per day and over one million tons per year.  The complex has seen enormous growth since the methanol plant was first built.  Upstream processing of LPG’s and condensate has been vastly expanded and a 3.7 million metric ton per year LNG facility delivered its first production in May of 2007.   Marathon Oil Company purchased the Equatorial Guinean assets of CMS Energy in January of 2002, thus taking over a 45% ownership position.  Further details can be seen on the Partners page.

Corporate social responsibility has been a key focus throughout Atlantic Methanol’s history.  We view our presence in Equatorial Guinea as a privilege that comes with an obligation to contribute to local development and education.  Programs such as refurbishing schools and orphanages and fighting malaria are described on the Social Responsibility page.