LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD), the leading global hydrogen provider, today announced the signing of an agreement to construct a hydrogen production facility in Detroit, Mich., for Marathon Petroleum Company LLC, a subsidiary of Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO). The steam methane reformer will have a hydrogen production capacity of more than 50 million standard cubic feet per day and is projected to be completed in the second quarter of 2012. The facility will provide hydrogen and steam for Marathon's heavy oil upgrade project at its Detroit refinery.

"Increased and reliable hydrogen supply will be important to Marathon's heavy oil upgrade project. As more sour crude oil is brought in from sources around the world, the requirements for additional hydrogen to make cleaner burning fuels also grows. Air Products has been working with Marathon to produce cleaner burning fuels for more than a decade and we are pleased to expand our relationship with this new project in Michigan," said Alex Masetti, vice president - North America Tonnage Gases at Air Products.

Marathon's Detroit hydrogen facility is the 31st plant to be built through the global alliance between Air Products and Technip. This alliance continues to provide the worldwide refining industry with competitive technology and world-class safety. Technip provides the design and construction expertise for steam reformers while Air Products provides the gas separation technology. Air Products, through its extensive operating network, and Technip, from its large reference base, also bring effective operational and engineering knowledge to "design-in" high reliability and efficiency. The plants are operated and maintained by Air Products under long-term agreements with customers.

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 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 www.technip.com.

***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

SOURCE  Air Products
    -0-                           04/21/2009
    /CONTACT:  Media,  Art George of Air Products, +1-610-481-1340,
georgeaf@apci.com, or Christophe Belorgeot or Floriane Lassalle-Massip, both
of Technip, +33-0-1-47-78-32-79; Investor Inquiries,  Nelson Squires of Air
Products, +1-610-481-7461, squirenj@airproducts.com/
    /Web Site:  http://www.airproducts.com /
    (APD MRO)

CO:  Air Products; Marathon Oil Corporation; Marathon Petroleum Company LLC;
     Technip
ST:  Pennsylvania, Michigan
IN:  OIL CHM CST
SU:  CON

PR
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6722 04/21/2009 17:15 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com