(Archived) Praxair to Build Hydrogen Facility at the Chevron Richmond Refinery

DANBURY, Conn., October 11, 2006 — Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) has finalized an agreement with Chevron Products Company to build a hydrogen facility at the Chevron Richmond Refinery in Contra Costa County, Calif., that is expected to be completed by fall of 2008. The new facility, operated by Praxair, will supply hydrogen to Chevron's Richmond Refinery over a 15-year period.

Praxair plans to build the hydrogen facility to produce a capacity of 260 million cubic feet of hydrogen per day. The new facility will utilize technology from Lurgi, a leading global supplier of reformer and hydrogen supply equipment. Praxair will also construct a pipeline network to supply hydrogen to other refineries in the northern California area.

"Because Praxair understands the complex needs of the refining industry, we were able to successfully integrate a hydrogen supply technology that serves Chevron's needs," said Scott Kaltrider, vice president, West Region, for Praxair's North American Industrial Gases business unit. "This state-of-the art facility will provide a highly reliable and competitive supply of hydrogen to Chevron and refineries in Northern California for many years to come," Kaltrider added.

"We are pleased to have Praxair build a world-class hydrogen manufacturing facility and pipeline system. Once permitted and constructed, this facility will improve energy efficiency, enhance reliability and help bring additional clean fuel to the California market," said Curt Anderson, general manager of the Chevron Richmond Refinery.

ARB, Inc. has been selected as the general contractor for construction of the supply system on the Richmond site.

Praxair supplies a complete portfolio of large-volume industrial gases, cylinder gases and specialized services to refinery customers and is a leading supplier of hydrogen worldwide. The company operates 34 steam methane reformers and seven major hydrogen pipeline systems that deliver more than 850 million standard cubic feet per day (1,250,000 cubic meters per hour) of hydrogen. Praxair's 310-mile hydrogen pipeline system on the U.S. Gulf Coast is one of the largest in the world and is connected to a substantial portion of refining capacity in that region.

About Chevron
The Chevron Richmond Refinery processes more crude oil than any other refinery in the Bay Area and ranks among major refineries in the United States. Its primary focus is on making transportation fuels – gasoline, jet and diesel – as well as lubricating oils. Chevron Corporation is one of the world's leading energy companies. With more than 53,000 employees, Chevron subsidiaries conduct business in approximately 180 countries around the world, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas, and refining, marketing and distributing fuels and other energy products. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information on Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

About Praxair
Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2005 sales of $7.7 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair's products, services and technologies bring productivity and environmental benefits to a diverse group of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, electronics, energy, food and beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others. More information on Praxair is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com