| Murray Hill, New Jersey, U.S., April 30, 2008 – Linde North America will hold a grand opening celebration on May 1 for its new hydrogen plant, located in Saraland, Alabama, outside of Mobile.
Linde North America, a member of The Linde Group, the leading gases and engineering company, is supplying Shell Chemical LP with hydrogen for upgrading heavy gas oil at its 80,000 barrel a day refinery. Linde commissioned the 10 million standard cubic feet a day plant in November 2007. Shell hydrotreats the gas oil for use as a feedstock in other Shell Chemical production plants.
“Linde is pleased to support Shell in its efforts to integrate its refining and chemical businesses to ensure a reliable, high quality feedstock for chemical production. Linde worked with Shell to develop a cost-effective and flexible solution that enables them to meet consumer demand for a range of plastic and plastic-derived products,” said Pat Murphy, president of Linde North America.
Don Weaver, general manager of Shell Chemical Mobile site, said: “Linde has made safety the priority in their business. That focus on safety has been key to the successful construction, commissioning and start-up of the hydrogen plant. It has enabled Linde to provide high purity hydrogen to Shell's Olefins Feed Hydrotreater in the shortest timeframe possible, resulting in Shell getting the highest quality heavy olefins feedstock to its customers as quickly as possible. Keeping our customers happy by delivering extraordinary customer value is Shell's goal and this project has helped us deliver."
Linde also is pleased to extend its roots in southern Alabama. This is Linde’s fourth hydrogen plant in the state, with the closest located in McIntosh. Linde also has a 700 ton a day air separation plant in Birmingham, producing oxygen, nitrogen and argon. The gases are used in a range of processes, including steel making, food and beverage manufacturing, healthcare and chemicals. With the Mobile plant, Linde now has nearly 50 operations and distribution employees in Alabama.
The hydrogen plant was designed and delivered by Linde Engineering, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Linde Engineering produces complex process plants for a variety of applications, including hydrogen, air separation and liquefied natural gas.
This hydrogen plant is the fifth Linde has commissioned in as many years to serve oil refiners in North America. The other plants are located in Lemont, Illinois; Lima and Toledo, Ohio and Salt Lake City, Utah. Their total output represents approximately 200 million standard cubic feet a day of hydrogen supplied for cleaner fuel production.
About Shell Chemical
Shell Chemical, LP produces a full range of products, including gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel, and light and heavy Olefin Feedstock at its Mobile, Alabama facility. Shell Chemical LP is an affiliate of Shell Oil Company, one of America’s leading oil and natural gas producers, natural gas marketers, gasoline marketers and petrochemical manufacturers.
About Linde
The Linde Group is a world leading gases and engineering company with more than 50,000 employees working in around 100 countries worldwide. In the 2007 financial year it achieved sales of EUR 12.3 billion (USD$18.7 billion). The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards earnings-based and sustainable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services.
Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. Linde is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.
For more information, see The Linde Group web site at http://www.linde.com
Contact:
Peter Gavigan
Linde corporate communications
908-771-1512
Peter.gavigan@linde.com |
