ANADARKO PETROLEUM CORP. DONATES $2.4 MILLION MOBILE LABORATORY TO OU

dlm/7-22-04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Debra Levy Martinelli

(405) 325-1185 drlevy@ou.edu

NORMAN, Okla. A state-of-the-art transportable research facility that is expected to significantly advance research in petroleum and gas core characterization has a new home at the University of Oklahoma.

The $2.4 million Anadarko Mobile Core Laboratory was donated to OU's Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering by Anadarko Petroleum Corp. of Houston. Plans for the lab include interdisciplinary research and instruction with participation from OU's College of Geosciences and Sarkeys Energy Center.

Because the lab is mobile, scientists and engineers will be able to conduct real-time analysis of rock samples at the well sites at which the samples are extracted. Traditionally, the samples are sent off-site for analysis and results are not available for months, said petroleum and geological engineering professor Chandra Rai. But with the mobile lab, researchers can have their questions answered in a matter of hours.

In addition, Rai said, some rocks simply cannot be easily transported without being compromised. They need to be kept at a certain temperature and can't be shipped they must be transported by special truck. With the mobile lab, these rocks don't have to be transported at all.

The College of Engineering is committed to teaching students how to deal with real-world challenges. This facility will provide those who plan to pursue careers in the oil and gas industry with invaluable hands-on opportunities that will better prepare them for the workplace, said W. Arthur Porter, dean of the College of Engineering.

Anadarko CEO James Hackett said, "The University of Oklahoma has produced some of the finest professionals in our industry and we are fortunate to count many of its alumni as part of our talented workforce at Anadarko. The donation of this mobile core lab will help OU continue its efforts to provide our country with a new generation of petroleum professionals."

Click here to go to home page