Air Liquide Hydrogen Plant in Bayport, Texas Dedicated to Clean Fuels.

PARIS -- The increasing demand for hydrogen is largely driven by the need for refiners to comply with the new environmental regulations being progressively introduced in the US and Europe. Reducing the sulfur content in automotive fuels and thus in engine polluting emissions requires large amounts of hydrogen.

In this context, the new hydrogen-producing steam methane reformer (SMR) currently under construction in Bayport, Texas (announced in January 2005) will support the increasing need for hydrogen used to produce cleaner fuels by customers located along Air Liquide's Gulf Coast Pipeline System and to supply steam to customers from its steam system in Bayport, Texas. The 100 million standard cubic feet per day SMR will be the largest of the Group's global hydrogen producing assets.

More than half the capacity of the new SMR will go toward supplying ConocoPhillips, a world leading energy company, and its refinery in Sweeny, Texas. Air Liquide's pipeline network will provide ConocoPhillips with hydrogen needed to produce new ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. The remaining hydrogen from the new SMR will meet the increasing needs of Air Liquide hydrogen network customers, especially existing and new petrochemical customers along the company's Gulf Coast Pipeline System. Moreover, Air Liquide patented technology will be utilized to supply additional hydrogen from Air Liquide's Freeport site. Completion of the new SMR is expected by May 2006.

"We are pleased to support the growing needs of companies like ConocoPhillips as we continue to develop our hydrogen production and Gulf Coast Pipeline System. Air Liquide's commitment to sustainable development and its dedication to creating value for customers are powerful drivers in our efforts to assist companies to improve their process efficiencies and help them with their environmental responsibilities," said Pierre Dufour, Air Liquide Group Executive Vice-President and President and CEO of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc.

Air Liquide Group sales of hydrogen in 2005 are estimated to be 650 million euros and are projected to reach one billion euros by 2008. The Group operates 200 hydrogen production units throughout the world (of which 30 are large units) as well as the world's longest hydrogen pipeline network (1,700 km).

Present in more than 70 countries, Air Liquide is the world leader in industrial and medical gases and related services. The Group offers innovative solutions based on constantly enhanced technologies. These solutions, which are in line with Air Liquide's commitment to sustainable development, help to protect life and enable our customers to manufacture many indispensable everyday products. Founded in 1902, Air Liquide has nearly 36,000 employees. The Group has successfully developed a long-term relationship with its shareholders built on confidence and transparency and guided by the principles of corporate governance. Since the publication of its first consolidated financial statements in 1971, Air Liquide has posted strong and steady earnings growth. Sales in 2004 totaled 9,428 million euros, of which sales outside France accounted almost 80%. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and is a component of the CAC 40 and EuroStoxx 50 indices (ISIN code FR 0000120073).