LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., 1 July 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) , a global leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology, today announced that its new AP-X(R) liquefaction process technology, which increases single train LNG production capacity over the current generation of LNG process trains by approximately 50 percent, was successfully placed on-stream at the Qatargas 2 Train 4 expansion project. This single LNG process train for the Qatargas 2 facility, located in Ras Laffan Industrial CityRas Laffan Industrial City, Qatar, is rated for an annual LNG production capacity of 7.8 million tons per year (MTY), making it the first in a coming series of the world's largest LNG process trains involving Air Products' technology.

"Placing our new AP-X technology on-stream for the first time at an LNG facility is another major milestone for Air Products and the LNG industry. Air Products congratulates Qatargas on inaugurating and fully commissioning its world-class production facility," said Stephen Jones, senior vice president and general manager-Tonnage Gases, Equipment and Energy at Air Products. "We take a great deal of pride in our LNG capabilities and leadership, and at a time when natural gas usage is increasing in importance on a global basis as a source of energy, we are especially pleased to be able to meet the trend of the industry's demand to operate larger LNG process trains."

The feed gas for the project will come from Qatar's North Field, the largest offshore non-associated natural gas field in the world, with proven natural gas reserves in excess of 900 trillion cubic feet. More information on the Qatargas 2 expansion can be found at www.qatargas.com.

Air Products' new AP-X technology is also being installed for three other LNG trains under construction for Qatargas in Ras Laffan, Qatar: Qatargas 2 (Train 5), Qatargas 3 (Train 6), and Qatargas 4 (Train 7). All of these process trains have a design capacity for an annual LNG production capacity of approximately 7.8 MTY.

Air Products provides natural gas liquefaction process technology, main cryogenic heat exchanger equipment, plus other key process equipment components in the AP-X process in an elegant combination of proven Air Products process technologies and key liquefaction components, providing a new standard for the industry. A majority of the total worldwide LNG is produced with Air Products' technology. Air Products has designed, manufactured and exported over 75 LNG heat exchangers from its Wilkes-Barre, Pa., United States facility over the last four decades.

In support of the LNG industry, Air Products provides process technology and key equipment for the heart of the natural gas liquefaction process, and also nitrogen plants for the base-load LNG facility. Upstream, Air Products provides both nitrogen and natural gas dehydration membrane systems for offshore platforms. Downstream, Air Products provides dry inert gas generators for LNG carriers, shipboard membrane nitrogen systems, land-based membrane and cryogenic nitrogen systems for LNG import terminals, and process technology and equipment for small and mid-sized LNG plants, floating LNG plants and LNG peak shavers.

The Middle East is an important business region for Air Products, and the company's 40 year presence reaches beyond LNG technology. Air Products, with regional headquarters in Doha, Qatar, has been working with the petrochemical and refining industries, and has built, owned and operated air separation units (ASUs) and hydrogen production plants in the Middle East. Air Products delivers world class expertise in designing, constructing and operating ASUs, with unrivalled merchant gases back-up in the region through its joint venture with Abdullah Hashim Group (AHG)Abdullah Hashim Group (AHG), who in cooperation with Air Products brings existing plant operation infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in Oman and UAE.

Air Products has several noteworthy projects completed and under construction in the Middle East. The company has built, and now operates and maintains, an ASU and a hydrogen production facility for Emirates Float Glass CompanyEmirates Float Glass Company in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Air Products also announced in 2008 that it will supply two new ASUs for Shadeed Iron & Steel's production plant in the Sohar Industrial Port of Oman. The company also has designed and built two of the world's largest ASUs for Qatar Oryx GTL at their site in Ras Laffan.

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 had fiscal 2008 revenues of $10.4 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 21,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

-Ends-

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

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos of the Qatargas 2-Train 4 liquefied natural gas facility using Air Products' new AP-X liquefaction process technology are available in Air Products' Press Room at www.airproducts.com/PressRoom/CompanyNews/Archived/2009/01Jul2009.htm.

First Call Analyst:
Nelson Squires
FCMN Contact:
(APD)

© Press Release 2009

 

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