Beaumont Groundbreaking for a new state-of-the-art, energy efficient Air Separation Unit (ASU) that will produce oxygen, nitrogen and argon.

Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP (“Air Liquide”) recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony in Beaumont, Texas, for a new state-of-the-art, energy efficient Air Separation Unit (ASU) that will produce oxygen, nitrogen and argon.

The new ASU was designed to produce 2,500 tonnes per day of oxygen, 2,600 tonnes per day of nitrogen and 88 tonnes per day of liquid argon. The majority of oxygen produced will be supplied to a new world-scale methanol plant owned and operated by Natgasoline LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of OCI N.V. Additional capacity will be supplied to other customers in the region via Air Liquide’s extensive pipeline network, which runs along the Gulf Coast in Texas and Louisiana. The ASU is expected to be commissioned by the second half of 2016.

In addition to the oxygen supply agreement, Air Liquide is supplying its Lurgi MegaMethanol® process technology to OCI’s Natgasoline facility. The MegaMethanol® Technology, which converts natural gas to methanol, is part of the Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions proprietary Lurgi technology portfolio. The supply of oxygen, combined with this natural gas-to-methanol conversion technology, will provide this customer with an industry-leading solution for large-scale methanol production.

Michael Graff, chairman and CEO of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc., commented: “We are very pleased to see support from our customers, elected officials and members of the community today as we break ground for another large-scale production unit in East Texas. This investment affirms Air Liquide’s commitment to this region and to the local economy. Additionally, this project demonstrates Air Liquide’s unique turnkey capabilities as both a gas supplier of choice and a global technology provider. We look forward to further supporting our customers in the region, supplying high-quality products, technologies and services in a safe, reliable and sustainable way.”

Representatives of OCI, local public officials and local community leaders joined Air Liquide for the groundbreaking ceremony. Pictured above, from left: Pat Ficara, Vice President, Air Liquide USA LLC; Jessica Hill, Vice President, Economic Development, Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce; Congressman Randy Weber, 14th District of Texas; Michael Graff, Chairman and CEO, American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc.; Kevin Struve, President, Natgasoline, LLC and Executive VP of OCI NV; Terry Humphrey, COO, Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP; Frank Bakker, CEO, OCI Partners; Dave Best, Vice President, Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. LP.