Extraction: Extract natural gas from underground reserves.

Purification: Remove impurities like sulfur, water, and carbon dioxide from the extracted natural gas to obtain dry, pure methane.

Steam Methane Reforming (SMR): Mix methane with steam at high temperatures (typically around 800°C to 1000°C) to produce a synthesis gas ("syngas") comprised of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Partial Oxidation (optional): As an alternative or in combination with SMR, methane can be partially oxidized with oxygen to produce syngas.

Syngas Conversion: The syngas is passed over a catalyst, typically based on iron or cobalt, which facilitates a series of reactions converting the syngas into longer-chain hydrocarbons.

Product Formation: This process produces a range of hydrocarbons, from light gases to heavy waxes. The desirable hydrocarbons, typically in the middle of this range, are the basis for liquid fuels like diesel.

Distillation: The hydrocarbon mixture from the Fischer-Tropsch process is distilled to separate products based on their boiling points.

Upgrading: Additional processes, such as hydrocracking, can be applied to break heavier hydrocarbons into lighter, more valuable products like diesel, jet fuel, and naphtha.