Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of an olefin derivative, which process comprises the steps of: (a) cracking a paraffinic hydrocarbon containing feedstock to produce a first dilute olefins stream comprising both olefins and alkanes, (b) reacting at least a portion of said first dilute olefins stream produced in step (a) to produce a first olefin derivative stream, comprising a first olefin derivative, and a second dilute olefins stream, comprising alkanes and at least 5 mol % unreacted olefins, (c) auto-thermally cracking at least a portion of said second dilute olefins stream produced in step (b), said portion comprising alkanes and at least 5 mol % unreacted olefins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of olefins which process comprises co-feeding at least one unsaturated hydrocarbon with a paraffinic hydrocarbon-containing feedstock and a molecular oxygen-containing gas to an autothermal cracker, wherein they are reacted in the presence of a catalyst capable of supporting combustion beyond the normal fuel rich limit of flammability to provide a hydrocarbon product stream comprising olefins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing ethane comprising contacting methane with a metal catalyst selected from metal hydrides, metal organic compounds and mixtures thereof. It also relates to a process for the conversion of methane to carbon-containing products comprising contacting methane with a metal catalyst comprising at least one metal, Me, chosen from the lanthanides, the actinides and the metals from Groups 2 to 12 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, so as to produce ethane in a proportion of at least 65%, especially at least 98% or 99% by weight with respect to carbon-containing products formed in the process. The process can be a single-step process, preferably carried out under conditions involving a non-oxidative catalytic coupling of methane, in particular under operating conditions maintained substantially constant, preferably continuously, during the ethane production, e.g. at a temperature ranging from ?30° C. to +80° C., preferably from 20° C. to 500° C.