Jean-Marc de Royere, Member, Executive Committee, Air Liquide.
PARIS, FRANCE: Air Liquide and Sinopec (China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation) have agreed on the supply of gaseous oxygen and nitrogen to Maoming branch of Sinopec (MPCC) 200,000 Nm³/h coal-to-hydrogen project and existing refinery in Maoming, Guangdong province, China.
For the gas supply to MPCC, Air Liquide and Sinopec have entered into a 50/50 joint venture. The joint venture will also take over and operate MPCC’s existing air separation units (ASUs). The global investment of the joint venture will be around €85 million.
The supply will be based on investment in a new ASU with a capacity of 3,000 tonne of oxygen per day which will be the largest ASU to be built in China. The new ASU, expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2013, will also produce liquid oxygen, nitrogen and argon to meet the strong and growing demand in the industrial merchant market in South China.
This large ASU will be designed and manufactured by Air Liquide Hangzhou, Air Liquide’s engineering centre in China. After completion of the project, MPCC will become one of the biggest refineries in China with a capacity exceeding 20 million-tonne oil refining per year.
“MPCC refinery revamping and expansion is a key national project. We have chosen Air Liquide as our partner to benefit from its technology and excellence in operational management, to ensure a safe, efficient and reliable gas supply,” said Yu Xizhi, General Manager of MPCC.
“This is another milestone for Air Liquide in China’s refining industry. We are pleased to partner with MPCC in this major project and to participate in the dynamic and growing Southern China market,” said Jean-Marc de Royere, Member, Executive Committee, Air Liquide.
© WOC News