Syntroleum Process(R) Tested With Live Coal Synthesis Gas
TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 2007--Syntroleum
Corporation (NASDAQ: SYNM), a synthetic fuels technology leader, has
successfully completed a demonstration of its proprietary technology
designed to convert coal into clean synthetic liquid fuels. The test
run utilized synthesis gas produced from coal and Syntroleum's
proprietary cobalt catalyst technology in the conversion process. The
2,500-hour bench-scale test run was recently completed at Eastman
Chemical Company's Kingsport, Tennessee facility.
The demonstration proved that fuels made from coal have the same
superior synthetic Fischer-Tropsch (FT) qualities as those made from
natural gas. The demonstration also proved that Syntroleum's
proprietary cobalt-based catalyst performs robustly under real-world
coal-to-liquids (CTL) conditions, as was predicted from earlier
extended life tests performed by Syntroleum.
"We have now proven that the Syntroleum Process(R), and
specifically our cobalt catalyst, performs very well on live coal
syngas in a commercial environment," said Jack Holmes, CEO of
Syntroleum. "This is a great step for Syntroleum and we continue to
believe that this technology will help pave the way to lowering our
country's reliance on foreign sources of oil, by producing
domestically sourced synthetic diesel and jet fuel. This successful
demonstration under the most challenging condition of live coal
derived syngas is also very important for the future of our Biomass to
Liquids technology. The syngas produced from gasifying such biomass
feedstocks as corn stover, wood by-products, and chicken litter is
more difficult to clean up than natural gas-based syngas but much
easier than coal-based syngas. By demonstrating the commercial
viability of our cobalt catalyst for coal, we have also addressed its
suitability for any renewable feedstock. These results in conjunction
with the Air Force's successful testing of our Fischer-Tropsch jet
fuel last fall and the recent certification of FT jet fuel for the
B-52 H Stratofortress bomber create a unique opportunity for
Syntroleum to supply synthetic jet fuel from several sources to help
the Air Force meet its target of providing 50 percent of its needs
with a 50/50 synthetic blend by 2016."
As previously announced, Syntroleum has contracted to deliver 500
gallons of renewable synthetic jet fuel for testing by the Air Force.
This fuel will be made using Syntroleum proprietary Biofining(TM)
technology using a mixture of low grade animal fats and greases as
provided by Tyson Foods. Based on preliminary testing, Syntroleum
believes this renewable fuel has almost identical properties to the
natural gas-based FT jet fuel used in the certification tests.
Syntroleum has finalized a non-confidential white paper addressing
details and results of the coal synthesis gas test. The white paper
can be found on Syntroleum's website at
http://www.syntroleum.com/pr_mr_articles.aspx
About Syntroleum
Syntroleum Corporation owns the Syntroleum(R) Process for
Fischer-Tropsch (FT) conversion of synthesis gas derived from biomass,
coal, natural gas and other carbon-based feedstocks into liquid
hydrocarbons, the Synfining(R) Process for upgrading FT liquid
hydrocarbons into middle distillate products such as synthetic diesel
and jet fuels, and the Biofining(TM) technology for converting animal
fat and vegetable oil feedstocks into middle distillate products such
as renewable diesel and jet fuel. Together with Tyson Foods,
Syntroleum is focused on siting, engineering and constructing a plant
that produces clean renewable synthetic diesel and jet fuel using low
grade fats and greases as feedstock. The 50/50 venture - known as
Dynamic Fuels - plans to announce the plant site in the fourth quarter
of this year, with production beginning in 2010. The Company plans to
use its portfolio of technologies to develop and participate in
synthetic and renewable fuel projects. http://www.syntroleum.com.
This document includes forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as
well as historical facts. These forward-looking statements may include
statements relating to the Syntroleum(R) Process, the Synfining(R)
Process, our renewable fuels Biofining(TM)technology, plans to use the
Company's various technologies, operational activities of the Company,
commercialization of the Company's technologies, certification of
Fischer-Tropsch and renewable fuels, performance and use of
Syntroleum's cobalt catalyst, and performance and use of fuels derived
from the Syntroleum process and technology test results. When used in
this document, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate,"
"expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "should" and similar
expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify
forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations
reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these
kinds of statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results
may not be consistent with these forward-looking statements.
Syntroleum undertakes no obligation to update or revise
forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the
occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating
results over time. Important factors that could cause actual results
to differ from these forward-looking statements include the potential
that debt or equity financing for anticipated plants or related
natural gas liquids or oil and gas projects may not be available, the
schedule for development, construction and operation of proposed
plants may not be met, anticipated appropriation and expenditure of
federal monies does not occur, commercial-scale plants do not achieve
the same results as those demonstrated on a laboratory or pilot basis
or that such plants experience technological and mechanical problems,
the potential that improvements to Syntroleum's various technologies
currently under development may not be successful, the impact on plant
economics of operating conditions (including energy prices),
construction risks, risks associated with investments and operations
in foreign countries, our dependence on strategic relationships with
manufacturing and engineering companies, volatility of energy prices,
the ability to implement corporate strategies, including the continued
availability of adequate working capital, competition, intellectual
property risks, our ability to obtain financing and other risks
described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
(R) "Syntroleum" is registered as a trademark and service mark in
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
CONTACT: Syntroleum Corporation, Tulsa
Ron Stinebaugh, 918-592-7900
www.syntroleum.com
or
Halliburton Investor Relations, Dallas
Geralyn Maher DeBusk, 972-458-8000
www.halliburtonir.com
SOURCE: Syntroleum Corporation
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