ExxonMobil and Air Liquide join forces to advance low-carbon hydrogen market

ExxonMobil and Air Liquide announced on Monday a pivotal agreement aimed at propelling the low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia markets, marking a significant step towards a cleaner energy future.

The partnership will see the transportation of low-carbon hydrogen from ExxonMobil’s Baytown, Texas facility through Air Liquide’s extensive pipeline network. Additionally, Air Liquide is set to construct and manage four Large Modular Air separation units (LMAs), which will provide the facility with 9,000 metric tons of oxygen and up to 6,500 metric tons of nitrogen daily. These units will predominantly utilise low-carbon electricity, minimising the project's overall carbon footprint.

“Momentum continues to build for the world’s largest low-carbon hydrogen project and the emerging hydrogen market,” said Dan Ammann, President of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions. “This partnership with Air Liquide further strengthens our Baytown project by enabling hydrogen distribution through existing networks and securing key feedstocks.”

The planned hydrogen production facility at Baytown is poised to become the largest of its kind globally. It is anticipated to produce 1 billion cubic feet of low-carbon hydrogen daily and over 1 million tons of ammonia annually, while capturing more than 98% of the associated CO2 emissions.

This collaboration is set to bolster the low-carbon hydrogen market along the U.S. Gulf Coast, providing industrial customers with the means to decarbonise their operations. The final investment decision for the project is contingent on supportive government policies and the acquisition of necessary regulatory permits.

Air Liquide’s role in supplying crucial oxygen and nitrogen to produce low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in the energy sector’s transition to more sustainable practices. The integration of low-carbon electricity in the LMAs also highlights the project’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact.