ExxonMobil has established a strong proprietary position on the catalysts, processes and products of the AGC-21 Gas to Liquids conversion process. The company has been offering to license over 3,500 worldwide patents to ensure that others are not blocked from introducing Gas to Liquids (GTL) products into countries in which ExxonMobil holds GTL patents.
This agreement represents a very practical approach to the use of GTL technology, said Ken Agee, Syntroleum’s chairman and CEO. We see this as an opportunity to gain freedom to operate under a significant number of GTL patents that can be used cost-effectively to improve certain of our processes.
The scope of this agreement includes the fields of syngas production, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, product upgrading to make fuels, and various processes that relate to these areas. It includes all existing ExxonMobil patents in these areas and future improvement patents in these areas over the next several years.
This agreement does not include patents covering certain specific catalyst formulations and manufacturing steps. In the event that Syntroleum obtains patents after this license agreement which overlap ExxonMobil’s patents, Syntroleum has agreed that it will not enforce its patents against ExxonMobil and its affiliates in those overlapping areas.
