Air Products to build Louisiana hydrogen plant, supply Motiva, Marathon refineries

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, July 22 -- Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Allentown, Pa., plans to construct and operate a hydrogen production plant at Motiva Enterprises LLC's 225,000 b/d Convent, La., refinery. Motiva is a joint venture of Shell Oil Co. and Saudi Refining Inc. The 110 MMscfd hydrogen facility, a natural gas-based steam methane reformer, is expected to be on stream in November 2005.

In addition to supplying Motiva, Air Products will supply hydrogen to Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (MAP)'s 255,000 b/d Garyville refinery and other customers on Air Products' 90 mile Baton Rouge-Norco, La., pipeline.

The hydrogen will be used to reduce sulfur content in gasoline and diesel.