Far East Asian Refinery Selects Merichem's New Low Sulfur Gasoline Technology

HOUSTON - (Business Wire) - October 24, 2003 - Houston based Merichem Chemicals & Refinery Services LLC (Merichem) announced recently that an undisclosed Far East Asian Refinery has selected EXOMER^SM for a low sulfur gasoline application. The EXOMER^SM Process effectively removes high molecular weight mercaptans from selectively hydrotreated FCC gasoline while minimizing octane loss and reducing consumption of costly hydrogen and catalyst.

Jointly developed by Merichem and ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, the EXOMER^SM Process uses sophisticated extraction chemistry combined with Merichem's FIBER-FILM^TM Contactor technology for the removal of mercaptans from hydrocarbons and the regeneration of the treating solution. FIBER-FILM^TM Contactor is a Merichem proprietary device that provides contacting surfaces to enable mass transfer between two immiscible fluids.

Merichem Chemicals & Refinery Services LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merichem Company, provides a diversified portfolio of products and services including innovative process technology and engineering, caustic management, naphthenic acids, copper naphthenate, and sodium hydrosulfide to the refining, chemical, and pulp and paper industries worldwide. Merichem's Process Technology Division is a leader in licensing, engineering and fabrication providing its FIBER-FILM^TM Contactor and other technologies and related process equipment to the oil refining and petrochemical industries worldwide for over 25 years. Merichem has licensed over 500 installations in more than 35 countries that remove sulfur and other acidic and basic impurities from hydrocarbon products to produce marketable fuels.

Additional information about Merichem and its licensable technology can be found at http://www.merichem.com or contact ptdsales@merichem.com .

EMRE is the research and engineering arm of ExxonMobil, a leading global oil, natural gas, and petrochemicals company whose subsidiaries have operations in nearly 200 countries and territories. Additional information regarding ExxonMobil and technologies it licenses can be found at http://www.exxonmobil.com/refiningtechnologies.