Low-Cost, Octane-Enhancing Technology Available for Licensing

3 May 2000

Proprietary Technology Developed by Phillips Petroleum

    BARTLESVILLE, Okla.----Phillips Petroleum Company today announced that it is now licensing its proprietary MaxCat(TM) Coke Reduction Technology to other companies.

    Developed at the company's research and development facilities in Bartlesville, Okla., the additive technology already is in use at all of Phillips' U.S. refining facilities and at a third-party domestic refinery. The new additive technology helps refineries manufacture the additional octane barrels from existing semi-regenerative catalytic reformer units that are needed for clean fuel production. The flexibility of this additive technology allows refiners to reduce coke buildup on catalyst, thus increasing octane barrels, run lengths, and/or unit throughput.

    MaxCat(TM) Coke Reduction Technology yields these benefits at very low capital costs -- as little as $20,000 for most refinery applications.

    "Since we went online with this additive technology, we've seen significant operational savings while producing a higher value product," said John Mihm, senior vice president of downstream technology and project development.

    "We're excited to be bringing this technology to the industry at large."

    "With changes in the clean fuels marketplace, namely the phase-out of MTBE and the introduction of deep sulfur removal regulations, the octane component of gasoline has taken a significant hit," said B.Z. Parker, executive vice president of Phillips' downstream operations. "Our refineries' use of Phillips' MaxCat Coke Reduction Technology has allowed Phillips to increase the value of our semi-regen catalytic reformer product, and ultimately, continue production of high-quality gasoline."

    Commercially operating at seven different units, MaxCat Coke Reduction Technology, in one example, improved the product octane by 1.5 RONs (research octane number) over previous runs, with the unit operating at comparative conditions.

    Phillips is an integrated petroleum company engaged in oil and gas exploration and production worldwide; gas gathering, processing and marketing in the United States; refining, marketing and transportation operations primarily in the United States; chemicals and plastics manufacturing and sales around the globe; and technology development. Founded in Bartlesville, Okla., in 1917, the company had 14,600 employees, $15 billion of assets and $19 billion of annualized revenues as of March 31.