Air Products (NYSE: APD), the leading global hydrogen provider, today announced it has signed a long-term agreement to supply hydrogen to Shell for one of the new units at its refinery complex near Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Air Products will supply Shell the hydrogen via pipeline and add an over six-mile extension to its existing over 80 mile pipeline system. The supply is due to be on-stream in 2011.
"We are pleased to be expanding our relationship with Shell in Rotterdam, adding to the long-standing supply of industrial gases to Shell in the area. The agreement also strengthens our hydrogen leadership position in Rotterdam," said Denis Deheusch, general manager-Tonnage Gases for Air Products in the Benelux. "The addition of the hydrogen supplied from our pipeline system to the refinery will present Shell with a safe and reliable hydrogen supply for its refinery operations while making cleaner burning transportation fuels."
The Shell facility pipeline extension will be connected to Air Products' recently announced new world-scale hydrogen production plant in Rotterdam, planned to be on-stream in mid-2011. The new hydrogen plant will feature technology advancements to maximize facility energy efficiency and emissions reductions.
Pipelines offer a safe, robust and reliable supply of hydrogen to the refinery and petrochemical industry in Europe and around the world. Globally, Air Products' pipeline operational expertise is evidenced by its network of systems. Besides Rotterdam, Air Products operates the largest hydrogen pipeline network in the United States Gulf Coast and routinely operates hydrogen pipeline systems worldwide including in California in the U.S. and in Canada.
Air Products has been active in Rotterdam since the early 1970s and has continuously expanded and invested. It operates production facilities in Botlek, Pernis, Chemiehaven and Europoort and manages an extensive network of industrial gas pipelines.