Phillips 66 has let a long-term contract to Linde PLC subsidiary Praxair Inc. to supply high-purity hydrogen to the 256,000-b/d Sweeny refinery in Old Ocean, Tex.
As part of the contract, Praxair will extend its 310-mile US Gulf Coast hydrogen pipeline system, which currently extends from Freeport, Tex., to Lake Charles, La., to connect with the Sweeny refinery, as well as build, own, and operate a new steam methane reformer (SMR) that will connect to the pipeline system at a location still to be determined, the service provider said.
Alongside supplying the Sweeny refinery, the new SMR—which will become the largest hydrogen production unit in the US upon completion in 2021 and increase Praxair’s total USGC hydrogen capacity to more than 1.5 bcfd—also will enable Praxair to meet hydrogen demands of other new unidentified refining customers along the Upper Texas Coast.
Praxair said hydrogen supplies to Sweeny will start in early 2021.
The precise volume of hydrogen supplies to be delivered under the contract was not disclosed.
Contact Robert Brelsford at [email protected].
