Air Liquide wins liquefaction contract for Woodside’s H2OK hydrogen project

Business Developments & Projects

December 20, 2022, by Aida Čučuk

Air Liquide Engineering and Construction (Air Liquide) has won a liquefaction contract for Woodside Energy’s proposed H2OK hydrogen project in Oklahoma, US.

According to the contract, Air Liquide will provide the engineering and fabrication of two 30 tonnes per day liquefaction units which will liquefy hydrogen produced through electrolysis in preparation for storage, loading, and transportation to customers.

Woodside noted that Air Liquide’s liquefaction technologies are reliable, efficient, and specific to the needs of the project.

Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill said: “We are aiming to develop our New Energy business in the US. The signing of the contract for liquefaction equipment is another important step forward in advancing H2OK, which would be our first producing hydrogen facility globally. Our customers are increasingly seeking out low-cost, lower-carbon sources of energy, such as hydrogen and ammonia. H2OK would produce hydrogen for use as a fuel for commercial and heavy transport, supporting customers’ chosen decarbonisation pathways.”

The liquefaction awarding follows Woodside’s selection of Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser AS, a subsidiary of Nel ASA, to design and develop alkaline electrolyser equipment for H2OK.

H2OK is a liquid hydrogen production facility proposed for the Westport Industrial Park in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

According to Woodside, its first phase involves the construction of an initial 290 MW facility, set to produce up to 90 tpd of liquid hydrogen through electrolysis, with potential expansion to 550 MW and 180 tpd.

Woodside said it is targeting a final investment decision for H2OK in 2023, with all necessary approvals and appropriate commercial arrangements being finalised.

In addition to H2OK, Woodside is working on proposed hydrogen projects H2Perth and H2TAS in Australia and was recently named a partner of the proposed Southern Green Hydrogen project in New Zealand.