Praxair Inc. announced it has signed a 15-year contract to supply oxygen and nitrogen to Total in the Port of Antwerp. As a result, the company will require increased quantities of industrial gases for several applications in its refinery and petrochemical processes. Praxair is expanding its recently built oxygen pipeline an additional three miles to connect with Total's refinery.

Praxair will also extend its nitrogen pipeline on the west bank of the river to efficiently serve existing and new petrochemical customers. Given the significant capacity and infrastructure investments made in the port over the past several years, there is growing demand in this region for nitrogen for blanketing and inerting of chemicals in storage. Praxair expects the oxygen and nitrogen pipeline supply to be operational in the second half of 2016.