ExxonMobil Retains GTL Patent

ANNANDALE, N.J., Apr 14, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ExxonMobil Research & Engineering announced today that in a recent hearing before the European Patent Office Board of Appeals, it retained European Patent 450860, directed to the optimal operation of a slurry bubble column for the production of environmentally beneficial gas-to-liquids (GTL) products. A previous decision to maintain the patent by the European Patent Office Opposition Division had been appealed by Shell International BV.

"ExxonMobil is pleased that the European Patent Office confirmed the patentability of its invention," said Bill Innes, president of ExxonMobil Research & Engineering. "We have devoted considerable resources to develop this proprietary technology and to secure patent protection for it."

In separate proceedings in 2001, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit unanimously confirmed the validity of the U.S. counterpart of this patent. The patent also exists in a number of other jurisdictions abroad.

ExxonMobil recently announced that it is not planning to use its GTL patent portfolio to block others from introducing clean products into market, and that it is willing to offer licenses for others to practice under this and other of its over 2700 worldwide patents in this area. The company confirmed that such discussions are now underway.

ExxonMobil Research & Engineering invents, develops and applies process, product, and engineering technology to support Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) worldwide.

ExxonMobil
Prem Nair, 703/846-4467

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