ExxonMobil Grants Nippon Steel First License for Patented Field Welding Technology for X120 Ultra High-Strength Linepipe

10.08.2011  |  Business Wire

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) and Nippon Steel Corporation
announced today that ExxonMobil has granted Nippon Steel the world′s
first license for patented field welding technology used to construct
high-pressure pipelines made with X120 ultra high-strength steel
linepipe.

ExxonMobil pursued a comprehensive X120 development program to ensure
that field welding technology would meet X120 strength requirements and
be compatible with conventional pipeline construction practices. The
X120 welding technology uses the pulsed gas metal arc welding process
(PGMAW) with a proprietary solid welding wire and argon-based shielding
gas to achieve high-strength welds with high toughness. Welding is
performed using standard automated and semi-automated welding tools
familiar to pipeline industry welders.

The technology now licensed by ExxonMobil to Nippon Steel also includes
the right to manufacture the proprietary welding wire. The signing of
the license agreement makes Nippon Steel the world′s first and sole pipe
manufacturer having available both a mill to manufacture X120 linepipe
and ExxonMobil welding technology for pipeline construction.

X120 ultra high-strength linepipe was jointly developed by ExxonMobil′s
Upstream Research Company and Nippon Steel. X120 linepipe is 50 percent
stronger than the strongest linepipe steel (X80) commonly used in gas
transmission pipelines and is a cost effective and safe method of
transporting natural gas from remote regions to urban customers using
high-pressure, large-diameter pipelines.

Natural gas demand is forecast to grow 60 percent globally in the next
20 years. Many new gas resources required to meet this demand are in
remote areas and will require cost-effective transportation options
before they can be commercialized. The use of X120 linepipe could
substantially improve the economics of long-distance pipelines used in
the development of remote gas resources.

About ExxonMobil

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 Nippon Steel

The Nippon Steel Group, focused on steel manufacturing, contributes to
industrial development and the enhancement of peoples' lives through
creation and supply of valuable and attractive products and ideas.
Nippon Steel Group has developed an organization that can dynamically
meet the needs of each expanding market and thereby increase its global
marketing strength in order to meet the needs of customers throughout
the world.

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.