3M Novec 1230 fluid provides a sustainable technology for offshore marine vessels

Offshore Technology Conference, Booth #5379 - May 1-4, 2006 - 3M today announced that 3M Novec1230 fire protection fluid is a fire suppression fluid that is poised to meet increasingly stringent environmental and safety standards in the oil and gas industry. Novec 1230 fluid is based on sustainable technology that is designed to balance the need for human safety and low environmental impact, while not compromising extinguishing performance. With a zero ozone-depletion potential, an atmospheric lifetime of just five days and a global warming potential of one, Novec 1230 fluid is uniquely positioned to help meet current halon replacement regulations, provide a wide margin of safety in the workplace and provide optimal protection for electrical equipment on offshore vessels.

"Regulating authorities around the world are implementing increasingly more demanding environmental and worker safety standards, creating new challenges for the drilling contractors and oil company engineers who specify the fire protection systems on rigs," said John Schuster, business manager, 3M Fire Protection.

The production of halon has been phased out in developed countries and will continue to be phased out in developing countries based upon the Montreal Protocol. According to Schuster, many in the industry are unaware of the solutions that meet the stated requirements of the protocol. "Systems designed with Novec 1230 fluid from 3M can reduce the potential climate impact of traditional HFC-based fire protection systems. As such, Novec 1230 fluid offers fire suppression specifiers, a sustainable technology on which they can rely."

The non-conductive, non-corrosive and fast-evaporating fluid is commercially available globally and is being used in occupied and occupiable spaces that contain delicate electrical equipment. Novec 1230 fluid leaves no messy residue to clean up so systems can remain operational. Additionally, the fluid can be used with existing materials of construction.

The fluid, which is stored as a liquid, becomes a gas upon discharge and is, therefore, easier to handle and store. In addition, there is a distinct advantage in handling a low-vapor pressure liquid clean agent like Novec 1230 fluid as it can be shipped by air in bulk quantities. Due to the ease of transporting Novec 1230 fluid, offshore systems can be retrofitted without the rig having to return to a shipyard for maintenance. Systems charged with Novec 1230 fluid can be used in specialized streaming and conventional total flooding applications, localized flooding systems and directional spray type applications.

"The Montreal Protocol started everyone in the offshore drilling industry thinking about halon usage in a more serious manner," said Mark Dreith, manager of project planning and estimating, GlobalSantaFe. "We formed a task force that reviewed all the available fire suppression systems on the market in an effort to find the "best" replacement product for our existing halon systems. We chose Novec 1230 fluid primarily based on the product's high margin of worker safety, its negligible environmental impact and the fact that the system can be refilled onboard if it is ever discharged."

3M, through its OEMs, can provide engineered systems using Novec 1230 fluid and support for customers in the oil and gas industry worldwide. Leading OEMs that offer systems incorporating Novec 1230 fluid include Kidde, a division of UTC Fire & Security; SEVO Systems; Siemens Building Technologies; and Tyco Safety Product, a division of Tyco Fire & Security. For more information about 3M Novec(TM) 1230 fire protection fluid, call 1-800-3M HELPS (1-800-364-3577) or visit www.3M.com/novec.

About 3M - A Global, Diversified Technology Company

Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen. Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti. Serving customers in more than 200 countries around the world, the people of 3M use their expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health care; industrial and transportation. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com.

3M, Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command, Vikuiti, Dyneon and Novec are trademarks of 3M.

LaBreche Murray Public RelationsSara Cziok, 612-392-7602scziok@labrechemurray.comor3MColleen Horn Harris, 651-733-1566http://www.3m.com/PressContact