March 26, 2012 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time 

ExxonMobil Awards Multi-Zone Stimulation Technology License to Weatherford

• Well perforating and fracturing combined into one efficient operation
• Award-winning technology in commercial use since 2005
• Weatherford experienced in advanced stimulation technologies

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company (URC) announced today the licensing of its award-winning Multi-Zone Stimulation Technology (MZST^SM) well treatment process to a subsidiary of Weatherford International Ltd. The MZST process can be used to rapidly and reliably stimulate multiple zones in a single operation, yielding improved well economics.

The MZST process can be particularly beneficial for hydraulic fracturing operations in tight gas, shale gas and coal bed methane wells that target multiple reservoir zones, thick reservoir sections or long reservoir intervals where multiple stimulation treatments are required.

“The MZST process is a proven technology for rapidly completing wells in tight reservoirs such as shale gas,” said URC President Sara Ortwein. “As shale gas takes on growing significance, this technology will play a key role in improving the economics of developing this unconventional resource.”

The MZST process will enable Weatherford to optimize its stimulation operations by combining the deployment of perforating and hydraulic fracturing equipment simultaneously in the wellbore to enable "single-trip" multi-zone stimulations. The technology dramatically increases the number of zones that can be fractured per day compared to traditional fracturing and stimulation operations.

“We are always looking for proven technology to reduce completion costs without sacrificing safety or well integrity,” said Gary Flock, Weatherford vice president of pressure pumping. “The MZST process is an excellent fit with our existing portfolio of completion and well stimulation technologies and services and will help us add value to our customers in the unconventional gas business.”

The MZST process was developed by ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, an affiliate of Exxon Mobil Corporation. The technology was recognized with Platts Global Energy Award for Most Innovative Commercial Technology in 2005 and has been licensed to numerous service companies.

About ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company is the Upstream research affiliate of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), a leading global oil, natural gas, and petrochemicals company with operations in nearly 200 countries and territories worldwide. ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company is charged with developing an industry-leading array of proprietary technologies that support the Corporation's continued leadership position in exploration, development, production and gas commercialization.

About Weatherford

Weatherford is a Swiss-based, multi-national oilfield service company. It is one of the largest global providers of innovative mechanical solutions, technology and services for the drilling and production sectors of the oil and gas industry. Weatherford operates in over 100 countries and employs over 60,000 people worldwide.

MZST is a service mark of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: Statements in this release regarding future events or conditions are forward-looking statements. Actual future results, including the performance of new technology, could differ materially depending on geologic conditions, technical or operating factors, and other factors discussed under the heading "Factors Affecting Future Results" on the "Investors" section of our website at www.exxonmobil.com.

HP Helps Hospitals Improve Patient Flow

News release from Hewlett Packard:

Press Release : February 08, 2012

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HP Helps Hospitals Improve Patient Flow with Central Logic

Central Logic software integrated with HP touchscreen technology can save hospitals time and money

Topics: Touchscreen Technology

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- HP today announced it is working with Central Logic, a leading healthcare software provider, to help hospitals improve patient care, increase hospital efficiency and reduce costs.

HP is integrating Central Logic Core™, an intuitive, web-based bed management system, into its HP Z600 Workstations. Hospital staff can replace their whiteboards with this HP touchscreen technology solution to more easily manage patient case processing and bed capacity optimization.

Hospitals of all sizes can choose from any number of display options including the HP TouchSmart 9300, HP 47-inch touch capable digital signage displays and the highly mobile HP Slate 2.

Central Logic’s software will be sold exclusively on HP hardware through HP Healthcare Specialist Partners and distributors such as Ingram-Micro.

“The combination of Central Logic Core software and HP technology answers hospital community demands to deliver reliable solutions that leverage touch technology,” said Chris Mertens, vice president, Healthcare Practice, Personal Systems Group, HP. “Touchscreen solutions can save hospitals valuable time and money and result in maximum patient flow optimization.”

“We see this solution as a way of automating bed management processes and replacing the whiteboards you typically see throughout hospitals with functional, dynamic, digital displays that all nurses and doctors can easily use,” said Darin Vercillo, chief executive officer, Central Logic. “Central Logic’s patient flow solutions operated with HP’s touch technology provides tremendous value and will greatly increase hospital productivity.” 

Central Logic offers a full suite of patient flow software solutions utilizing HP TouchSmart PCs and digital signage displays to help manage patients throughout their hospital stay. Central Logic’s ForeFront™ software is the industry’s leading patient transfer and admission solution, Central Logic Edge™ software assists with patient transport and dispatching, Central Logic Connect™ aids the discharging process, and Central Logic Insight™ centralizes physician scheduling and availability.

More information on HP Healthcare solutions is available at: www.hp.com/go/hphealthcare

About Central Logic, Inc.

Central Logic is the healthcare industry’s leading provider of innovative patient flow software and consultative expertise. Since 2005, the company’s solutions have transformed patient transfer processes for some of the United States’ most respected medical systems and hospitals. Central Logic works collaboratively with physicians, administrators and staff to design and deliver patient flow solutions that increase patient throughput while conserving internal resources. For more information, please visit http://www.centrallogic.com/.