Praxair to expand New Mexico nitrogen plant
Praxair has started up a second nitrogen plant at its facility in Kirtland, New Mexico to support growing nitrogen demand in the San Juan basin, which includes southwestern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico, the company said Monday.
The new plant, along with an additional liquefier expansion to be completed later this year, will increase total capacity at the site to 300 tpd of liquid nitrogen, in addition to gaseous nitrogen that is being supplied to local pipeline customers under long-term contracts.
Demand for nitrogen continues to grow as local oil and gas operators develop new oil resources in the area. Nitrogen is an inert gas that can effectively replace water that is typically used in hydraulic fracturing.
“Praxair’s new plant will strengthen our supply position in the San Juan basin and help us meet the increasing pipeline and liquid nitrogen demand from customers in this geography,” said Gerald Miller, vice president of the West region for Praxair’s US industrial gases business.
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