Press release 6 March 2002

Cleansorb's patented enzyme technology for controlled downhole deposition of chemicals proceeds to grant.

For immediate release:

Cleansorb is pleased to announce that the first of it's family of patents relating to downhole  deposition of chemicals was recently granted in the UK.  The technology involves controlled deposition of solid materials from a particle free bulk fluid once the fluid has been placed downhole.  This approach has a number of potential oilfield applications including deposition of cementing materials to increase consolidation of sandstone formations, to minimize sand production, and deposition of scale inhibitors to increase the life of scale inhibitor squeeze treatments. 

Recent laboratory test work on the sand consolidation application has confirmed that useful increases in unconfined compressive strength of outcrop sandstone cores can be achieved using un-optimized treatments.  Further development work is planned in conjunction with other oil industry partners.

Preliminary laboratory testing of the scale inhibitor deposition process has also been very promising and Cleansorb is currently evaluating this technology in collaboration with an oilfield  services company.

For further information contact:

  Notes for editors:

1. In-situ deposition of materials has been developed by Cleansorb Limited, based at the Surrey Research Park in Guildford, Surrey, UK. The process combines enzymes (biological catalysts) with suitable chemicals to achieve the deposition of solid materials from an initially particle free fluid.

2. The  controlled deposition of specific, selected materials within sandstones results in improved cementation between the sand particles and useful increases in consolidation. 

3. The technology can also be applied to the deposition of scale inhibitors from solution.  The chemical and biochemical components of the treatment fluids are environmentally friendly and very low hazard. 

4. A catalyst is a compound which promotes a chemical reaction without itself being consumed.  The catalysts used in Cleansorb’s deposition processes are enzymes.  Enzymes are chemical compounds found in nature.  They are, however, single chemical compounds which can be manufactured to the usual standards of purity of industrial chemicals.

5. Although Cleansorb’s deposition technology is a biotechnological process it should be clearly distinguished from oilfield well treatments based on bacteria.  Using enzymes confers many advantages including a high level of process control, high yield and better thermotolerance.  Enzyme based systems are also particulate free.

6. Cleansorb Limited, based at the Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey, UK, is a privately owned biotechnology company which specializes in developing enzyme-based processes which assist oil and gas production. Contact:  Ian McKay or Ralph Harris,

Tel. ++44 (0) 1483 295090 Fax. ++44 (0) 1483 845358.

7. In addition to sand consolidation technology Cleansorb offers other enzyme-based processes with applications in oil and gas production.   Cleansorb’s Arcasolve^TM acidizing process is already being successfully used in the oilfield by independent and major multinational oil companies. 

© Cleansorb Limited 2006.  All rights reserved.