Project Highlights Company's Mid-Scale LNG Market Capabilities LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) today announced it has signed an agreement with Technip to supply Air Products' proprietary liquefied natural gas (LNG) process technology and equipment for an LNG project in Yinchuan, China. Air Products' technology will be vital for two liquefaction trains each producing 400,000 tons per year of LNG for Ningxia Hanas Natural Gas Company, Ltd. The units are targeted to be completed in the second half of 2011. "This project is an important one for Air Products for several reasons. First, it marks our entry into the Chinese LNG production market. At the same time, it demonstrates the capabilities of our technology in terms of LNG production scale and reinforces our commitment and presence to serve all spectrums of the LNG market, from baseload to peak-shaving, and now to the mid-scale LNG market," said Jim Solomon, director-LNG at Air Products. Under the agreement, Air Products' single mixed refrigerant process technology, as well as engineering, design and manufacturing of the heat exchanger equipment for the liquefaction sections, will be supplied for each train. The process uses Air Products' proprietary wound coil main cryogenic heat exchanger technology. This process is particularly well suited for regional and mid-size LNG production. The Yinchuan LNG plant will be the largest of its kind in China. The LNG produced will be distributed to the Chinese market to help meet the growing demand for clean energy. 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, as well as process technology and equipment for small and mid-sized LNG plants, floating LNG plants and LNG peak shavers. 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, and land-based membrane and cryogenic nitrogen systems for LNG import terminals. News of this LNG agreement follows closely two recent Air Products industrial gas projects in China announced in September. An Air Products joint venture company based in Sichuan, China has signed an agreement to build an air separation unit (ASU) for PetroChina Company Limited, one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world. The ASU will supply oxygen and nitrogen to PetroChina's main refinery and ethylene complex in Sichuan, as well as produce liquid products for Air Products' merchant gases customers in the Chengdu area. The ASU is to be on-stream in late 2011. Air Products also released plans to purchase and operate four existing air separation units and build a new ASU, to be on-stream in March 2011, to supply industrial gases to Xingtai Iron and Steel Corporation, Ltd., one of China's largest specialty steel manufacturers located in Hebei province, China. About Air Products 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 http://www.airproducts.com/. About Technip Technip is a world leader in the fields of project management, engineering and construction for the oil & gas industry, offering a comprehensive portfolio of innovative solutions and technologies. With 23,000 employees around the world, integrated capabilities and proven expertise in underwater infrastructures (Subsea), offshore facilities (Offshore) and large processing units and plants on land (Onshore), Technip is a key contributor to the development of sustainable solutions for the energy challenges of the 21st century. Present in 46 countries, Technip has operating centers and industrial assets (manufacturing plants, spoolbases, construction yard) on five continents, and operates its own fleet of specialized vessels for pipeline installation and subsea construction. The Technip share is listed on Euronext Paris exchange and over the counter (OTC) in the USA. For more information, visit http://www.technip.com/. About Ningxia Hanas Natural Gas Company Ningxia Hanas Natural Gas Co Ltd, formerly known as Yinchuan Natural Gas Company, is mainly engaged in city gas, gas supply to industrial and commercial users, gas heating, gas-fired power generation, gas-fired cogeneration, and environment protection. As of early 2009, the company had over 200,000 gas users and had established over 800 miles of gas pipelines. The company is the sole urban gas operating firm in Yinchuan. ***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations. DATASOURCE: Air Products CONTACT: Media Inquiries: Art George of Air Products, +1-610-481-1340, ; or Christophe Belorgeot or Floriane Lassalle-Massip, both of Technip, +33(0)-1-47-78-32-79, ; or Investor Inquiries: Nelson Squires of Air Products +1-610-481-7461, Web Site: http://www.airproducts.com/

Copyright