Air Liquide Industrial U.S. started operations at its new nitrogen production plant in Tioga, North Dakota. The plant will increase the region’s nitrogen supply, further supporting growth in drilling operations in the oil-rich Bakken reserves.

“We continue to position ourselves to better support this growing oil and gas region,” said Wayne Bohannon, President, Air Liquide Industrial U.S. LP. “The growing demand for nitrogen in this region coupled with the booming oilfield services activity there and in other regions of the US, aligns well with our offers and capabilities and our growth and expansion plans to serve this industry.”

In North America, Air Liquide supplies nitrogen and carbon dioxide to oil and gas producers to support drilling operations and increase oil and natural gas recovery. The use of liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the exploration process can displace the use of water by upwards of 50 percent and offers significant production and environmental benefits to traditional methods.