As a result of a competitive tender, Petróleos Mexicanos announced that the company named Air Liquide México S.A. de R.L. de C.V. is the partner who will supply hydrogen to the Miguel Hidalgo refinery in Tula, for the next 20 years.

According to the strategy described in its Business Plan, Pemex is taking full advantage of the opportunities provided by the Energy Reform by finalising its first strategic alliance for one of the auxiliary services to refineries. Through this action, Petróleos Mexicanos will strengthen its operating performance and allocate more resources to those processes that are central to refining.

The alliance with Air Liquide México, a world leader in the production of industrial gases with presence in over 80 countries, will generate savings in excess of 30 per cent. More importantly, this alliance will improve the reliability of the hydrogen supply, which in turn will reduce the number of unscheduled stops and increase the production of gasolines in the refinery.

According to the contract, Air Liquide will operate the existing plant and will invest in a second plant to supply the total required hydrogen for the expansion projects of the Tula refinery.

Wth this announcement, Pemex continues to become stronger to reach its financial and operating goals and continue to be Mexico’s flagship enterprise.

About Pemex

Pemex, Mexico's state oil company, is engaged in the exploration, production, transportation, refining, storage and sale of hydrocarbons and derivatives. Its products include petrochemicals, natural gas, liquid gas, sulphur, gasoline, kerosene and diesel. Pemex operates 344 production fields, 6,382 production wells, 225 off-shore platforms, 6 refineries, 8 petrochemical complexes, 7,896 km of gas pipeline, 4,548 km of oil pipeline, and 19 LPG distribution terminals.

For the energy sector this is good news because Trion has possible reserves and no oly prospective resources like the rest of the blocks in round 1.4.

This announcement is also good news for the country because the investments that will flow into Mexico for the exploration and exploitation of this fields and the rest of the blocks of round 1.4 will enable the development of infrastructure and will foster employment in the region.

About Air Liquide

The world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with approximately 67,000 employees and serves more than 3 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902.