NOVELTY - Production of methanol involves providing gas feed stream including methane and steam to convection steam reforming reactor to produce outlet stream of synthesis gas containing carbon oxide and hydrogen, where the gas feed stream within the reactor is heated by using indirect contact with inlet stream of hot gas entering the reactor to provide outlet stream of flue gas; combusting the flue gas; and compressing the synthesis gas to pressure to produce methanol, where at least part of the energy used to compress the synthesis gas is provided by the hot gas expansion turbine.    USE - For production of methanol from a methane gas stream, useful as a fuel for other coal mining activities to reduce carbon dioxide emissions associated with coal mining and transportation.    ADVANTAGE - The process is located on a offshore platform, moving platform or sea vessel. The process is easily dismantled and/or is portable. The produced methanol have a zero or very low or does not have a significant carbon dioxide emission penalty associated with its production. The pressurization of the hot gas inlet stream is provided by energy derived from the recuperated gas turbine.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Production of methanol from a methane gas stream involves providing a gas feed stream including methane and steam to a convection steam reforming reactor to produce an outlet stream of synthesis gas containing carbon oxides and hydrogen, where the gas feed stream within the convection steam reforming reactor is heated by using indirect contact with an inlet stream of hot gas entering the convection steam reforming reactor to provide an outlet stream of flue gas; combusting the outlet stream of flue gas and using the resultant hot gas to drive a hot gas expansion turbine; and compressing the outlet stream of synthesis gas to a pressure to produce methanol, where at least part of the energy used to compress the outlet stream of synthesis gas is provided by the hot gas expansion turbine.