Mexico‘s government on Friday ordered state energy company Pemex to temporarily take control of a hydrogen plant inside one of its largest refineries but operated by French company Air Liquide.
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who signed a decree that declared hydrogen supply from the plant “a matter of public interest,” has tightened state control over the energy market since he came to power in December 2018.
Citing the Mexican Constitution, the decree stated that the hydrogen plant, operated by Air Liquide, should be occupied “immediately” by TRI, the refining arm of Pemex.
The decree said Mexico depends on third parties for hydrogen supply, which was “putting at risk the production of gasoline and diesel”, and added that this was not economically viable for Pemex.
It did not specify how long the occupation would last.
Air Liquide and Pemex did not…
