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Air Products' Hydrogen Pipeline Extension Strengthens Gulf Coast Network

Posted on: Monday, 2 March 2009, 10:00 CST

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD), the leading global hydrogen provider, today announced it has strengthened its U.S. Gulf Coast hydrogen pipeline network in Louisiana with the successful completion of a 37-mile extension to the system. The new portion of the hydrogen network, much of which was placed in the lake-bed of Lake Pontchartrain, links Air Products' existing pipeline systems on both sides of the lake. The new extension creates a more than 150 mile continuous hydrogen pipeline network from the city of Plaquemine to Chalmette, with 15 hydrogen production source points feeding the system including recently announced hydrogen plants being built in Garyville and Baton Rouge.

"This extension enhances our Gulf Coast hydrogen leadership position. The new connection increases the supply reliability of our pipeline network in Louisiana and continues to build upon our multi-source hydrogen system, which will soon have over 650 MMSCFD (million standard cubic feet) of capacity. This project demonstrates our commitment to safe, robust and reliable supply of hydrogen to the refinery and petrochemical industry in Louisiana," said Tom Wendahl, manager - Tonnage Business, East Gulf Coast Area for Air Products. The newly expanded system also enhances supply reliability and efficiency to Air Products' own liquid hydrogen production operations in New Orleans. Product from this plant, the largest liquid hydrogen facility in the world, is distributed by tanker truck to hundreds of customers across North America, including Kennedy Space Center for every launch of the Space Shuttle.

"A safe, reliable and cost-effective supply of hydrogen is critical to maintaining and creating jobs in the refining and chemical sectors of the Louisiana economy. I congratulate Air Products on the successful completion of this project," said Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret.

Wendahl noted pipeline construction and permitting on the newest addition to the system went very smoothly in working with local authorities and regulators, as well as property neighbors in the area of the pipeline. "We worked very closely with all stakeholders and the project was novel in that the pipeline used an existing pipeline corridor in Lake Pontchartrain. That alone decreased potential environmental impact and landowner issues," he said.

Additionally, in the U.S. Gulf Coast, Air Products has a second and larger hydrogen pipeline system of over 300 miles reaching from the Houston Ship Channel in Texas to Lake Charles, Louisiana. Air Products has safely operated hydrogen pipelines for over 35 years and incorporates a design philosophy based on 100 years of continuous safe operation. The company's pipeline design and operations meet or exceed government requirements. For example, as a safety precaution, Air Products pioneered the use of automatic shut-off valves on pipelines which act to isolate line segments in the unlikely event of a system breach.

Air Products also has hydrogen pipeline networks operating around the world in the U.S. in Southern California, in Sarnia, Ontario, and Edmonton, Alberta in Canada, and in Rotterdam in The Netherlands.

Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. Air Products has annual revenues of over $10 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 21,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

SOURCE Air Products

Source: PR Newswire

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