First successful application of 'green chemistry' solution for down hole squeeze treatment

Donlar Biosyntrex Corporation (Bedford Park, IL) announces the first successful application of its environmentally friendly and biodegradable polyaspartate based products in down hole squeeze treatments for oil production in the North Sea. In a paper presented at the SPE European Formation Damage Conference in The Hague, Netherlands (May 21-22, 2001), Statoil A/S, a Norwegian oil company, and Champion Technologies, an oil field service company, presented data where Donlar's patented products performed with a high measure of success in the Norwegian Heidrun oilfields. Donlar's multifunctional polyaspartate product was selected for its environmental profile and for its proven performance in laboratory studies.

In order to maintain oil formation pressure to facilitate the production of oil, seawater is directly injected into the formation. Because of the incompatibility of sea water with the water that is already in the formation, mineral scale forms which blocks the outflow of oil and significantly slows oil production. Donlar's "green chemistry" product is used in order to maintain oil formation pressure and prevent scaling.

"The success in the Heidrun oilfield, one of the most difficult to treat, shows the potential of our products in a variety of oil production practices," stated Larry P. Koskan, president and CEO. "We are expecting to see continued success from Statoil and Champion Technologies using our 'green chemistry' products."

North Sea Oil Production is represented by 135 separate oil fields, with over 500 platforms producing in excess of 10,000,000 barrels of oil per day. "The current sales potential for environmentally safe products in oilfield chemicals alone exceeds $600 million worldwide," stated Mr. Robert P. Pietrangelo, President of Donlar BioPolymers, a division of Donlar Biosyntrex Corporation. "Sales potential for squeeze applications adds another dimension in Donlar's growth for environmentally friendly products in the oilfield market."

Donlar is a twenty-first century research, development and marketing company that produce products ranging from performance chemicals and agricultural enhancers, to pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Donlar is proud to have been the recipient of the EPA's first Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for its work in the development of environmentally responsible products and manufacturing processes. Investments of over $60 million devoted to Donlar's research and development efforts have resulted in the issuance of one hundred and thirty global patents that protect its TPA technology, products and marketplace Donlar's products are manufactured in its state-of-the-art facility located in Peru, Illinois.

For more information, contact Robert P. Pietrangelo of Donlar Biosyntrex Corporation at 708-563-9200.

Source: Donlar Biosyntrex Corporation