PARIS--(Business Wire)--
Regulatory News:
Gas-to-liquid technology, which consists of converting natural gas into liquid
fuels, is an attractive option for making the most of abundant gas reserves.
This technology produces a fuel that has the high energy efficiency of diesel
while producing less pollution.
Oryx GTL is a SASOL / Qatar Petroleum joint venture that produces clean diesel,
naphtha and LPG. Its first commercial gas-to-liquids (GTL) unit located in Ras
Laffan, Qatar, is the largest GTL unit in service in the world. GTL production
capacity is rapidly increasing in Qatar thanks to the North Field, the world's
biggest reserve of natural gas.
Oryx GTL and GASAL Q.S.C., Air Liquide`s (Paris:AI) subsidiary in Qatar, have
signed a long-term oxygen supply agreementafter Oryx GTL decided to increase its
production capacity. GASAL will invest US$70 million(more than €47 million) in a
new oxygen and nitrogen production unit with a capacity of 750 tonnes of oxygen
per day.
The new unit, designed and built by Air Liquide Engineering, will be
commissioned at the end of 2010.It will further reinforce GASAL`s industrial gas
production asset base in Ras Laffan Industrial City. GASAL will then have two
production sites in this key industrial basin, thanks to the successful start-up
earlier this year of a nitrogen unit for Ras Laffan Olefin Company.
Besides, the new GASAL unit will be the base for gaseous nitrogen supply to
GASAL`s nitrogen pipeline network currently under construction in Ras Laffan.
The total production capacity of nitrogen available in the network will be more
than 1,500 tonnes per day. This ASU will also produce liquid gases which will
serve as a reliable source for other customers in Qatar and in neighboring
countries.
Pierre Dufour, Senior Executive Vice-President of the Air Liquide Group,
responsible for the Middle East Region, commented: "With this new, large scale
project in Qatar, Air Liquide is proud to be the selected outsourcing partner of
Oryx GTL through its subsidiary GASAL. We will be able to support the growing
needs of our long-term customer Sasol and of our partner Qatar Petroleum. It is
a further illustration of Air Liquide`s commitment to the development of
emerging economies, one of the Group`s growth drivers."
The Large Industries business line of Air Liquide
proposes gas and energy solutions to the world`s industrial companies to improve
the efficiency of their processes and help them achieve greater respect for the
environment. Its main markets are:
* refining and natural gas: hydrogen to desulphurise fuels and "break up"
hydrocarbons, and oxygen to gasify oil residues…
* chemicals: air-gases, hydrogen and carbon monoxide used for manufacturing PVC,
for example…
* metals: oxygen to improve energy performance and reduce emissions, and argon
to manufacture stainless steel…
* energy: oxygen to transform coal and natural gas into fuel or liquid chemical
products…
2008 revenue was €3.675 billion.
Air Liquide in the Middle East
Air Liquide is present in Egypt, Lebanon, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
Syria and the United Arab Emirates, where the Group has established its
headquarters for Middle East region.
With 450 employees in the Middle East, Air Liquide invested US$300 million over
the 2002-2007 period and has an investment program of another US$1 billion in
the Arabic Gulf region over the next five years.
GASAL Q.S.C.
was established in 2006 as a joint venture between Air Liquide, Qatar Petroleum
and Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company to provide industrial gases such as
oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and argon to the downstream steel, oil, gas and
chemical industries in Qatar.
GASAL employs 30 people.
Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the
environment, and is present in over 75 countries with 43,000 employees. Oxygen,
nitrogen, hydrogen and rare gases have been at the core of Air Liquide`s
activities since its creation in 1902. Using these molecules, Air Liquide
continuously reinvents its business, anticipating the needs of current and
future markets. The Group innovates to enable progress, to achieve dynamic
growth and a consistent performance.
Air Liquide combines many products and technologies to develop valuable
applications and services not only for its customers but also for society.
Innovative technologies that curb polluting emissions, lower industry`s energy
use, recover and reuse natural resources or develop the energies of tomorrow,
such as hydrogen, biofuels or photovoltaic energy… Oxygen for hospitals,
homecare, fighting nosocomial infections…
A partner for the long term, Air Liquide relies on employee commitment, customer
trust and shareholder support to pursue its vision of sustainable, competitive
growth. The diversity of Air Liquide`s teams, businesses, markets and geographic
presence provides a solid and sustainable base for its development and
strengthens its ability to push back its own limits, conquer new territories and
build its future.
Air Liquide explores the best that air can offer to preserve life, staying true
to its sustainable development approach. In 2008, the Group`s revenues amounted
to €13.1 billion, of which almost 80% were earned outside France. Air Liquide is
listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of
the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.
www.airliquide.com
Corporate Communications
Corinne Estrade-Bordry
+ 33 (0)1 40 62 51 31
or
Garance Bertrand
+ 33 (0)1 40 62 59 62
or
Investor Relations
Virginia Jeanson
+33 (0)1 40 62 57 37
or
Annie Fournier
+33 (0)1 40 62 57 18
or
GASAL Q.S.C.
Virginie Reynaud
+ 974 493 43 25
Copyright Business Wire 2009
