Project Overview
In 2023, two refinery operators approached Phoenix Equipment looking for small-capacity hydrogen plants that could be deployed faster than newly built systems. Phoenix identified two identical 750 Nm³/hr hydrogen plants in Qatar that had been designed by Caloric of Germany.
Both plants had operated for only approximately two years before being shut down following business changes. The equipment remained in excellent condition, and Caloric supported the technical evaluation and process upgrades needed for redeployment.
Phoenix coordinated the acquisition and relocation of the two plants, with one ultimately moved to another country in the Middle East and the other to a country in the CIS region. The approximately $3.5 million project ran from February through December 2023.
The Challenge
The two refinery buyers needed relatively small hydrogen plants but did not want to wait the 18 to 30 months required for comparable new-build capacity. At the same time, Gasal wanted to divest the idled hydrogen plants and recover value from complete processing systems rather than dispose of the equipment piecemeal.
Phoenix needed to match the available plants with suitable refinery projects, coordinate technical evaluation with the original plant designer, and support the international relocation of both systems.
Plant Evaluation, Sale & Relocation
Phoenix matched each 750 Nm³/hr hydrogen plant with a refinery buyer and worked with Caloric during the evaluation and process-upgrade phase. The plants were then prepared for relocation to separate destinations, one in the Middle East and one in the CIS region.
By redeploying the plants as complete systems, Phoenix preserved the value of the integrated hydrogen production equipment while giving the buyers access to recently operated hydrogen production systems without waiting for entirely new plants to be engineered and manufactured.
Project Highlights
- Seller: Gasal
- Location: Qatar
- Facilities: 2 Identical Hydrogen Plants
- Plant Capacity: 750 Nm³/hr Each
- Plant Designer: Caloric, Germany
- Prior Operation: Approximately 2 Years
- Condition: Excellent
- Phoenix Scope: Plant Acquisition, Buyer Matching, Technical Coordination and International Relocation
- OEM Support: Caloric Assisted With Plant Evaluation and Process Upgrades
- Buyers: 2 Refinery Operators
- Plant Destinations: Middle East and CIS Region
- Project Timeframe: February 2023 – December 2023
- Project Value: Approximately $3.5 Million
- Seller Outcome: Both Hydrogen Plants Divested Within One Year
- Buyer Benefit: Avoided an Estimated 18–30 Month New-Build Lead Time
Redeploying Complete Hydrogen Plants Instead of Starting From Scratch
Within one year, Gasal divested both hydrogen plants through complete-plant sales, while two refinery buyers secured recently operated hydrogen production capacity for projects in separate regions. Phoenix connected the plants with suitable buyers, coordinated technical evaluation with Caloric, and supported both international relocations.