Mexico orders expropriation of Air Liquide plant at Pemex oil refinery

Mexico's government has ordered the expropriation of a hydrogen plant at a Pemex oil refinery that was sold to French company Air Liquide during the previous administration, after officials ordered a temporary occupation of the facility last December. The expropriation announcement from Mexico's energy ministry was published in the government's official gazette late on Thursday, citing risks to motor fuels production at the Tula refinery, owned and operated by state-owned Pemex, due to the third-party supply of hydrogen.

The announcement also cited the need to ensure Mexico's "energy sovereignty." Air Liquide, an industrial gases and services company, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.