New Center Puts 3M’s Technology Resources at Center of Industry

3M Energy and Advanced Materials Division recently announced that it will open a Customer Center for the company’s Oil and Gas business in Houston, Texas. The center is scheduled to open in spring 2007.

The Customer Center, a first of its kind, will be dedicated to accelerating application development, and will spotlight 3M’s proven applications and innovative technologies in the oil and gas industry. The facility includes laboratory, meeting and demonstration space to showcase, demonstrate and develop viable solutions for the industry. Many proven applications will be highlighted at the Customer Center, with specific focus on four application development areas within exploration and production: drilling fluids, low density cement, liquid filtration and pipe insulation. Technical experts will team up with customers and collaborate on their specific needs. The center will serve as a pipeline for 3M’s proven applications that utilize 3M’s 45 core technology platforms. This facility allows for synergy and interaction between customers and technical experts in a laboratory setting to delve into the challenges companies face that match 3M’s offerings.

“3M has had a commitment to the oil and gas industry for more than 30 years, with solutions ranging from corrosion protection used in large-diameter pipes, to downhole solutions to environmental safety sorbents,” said Doug Rowen, global oil and gas business director with 3M. “Our global oil and gas team continues to find new ways to apply 3M’s technology portfolio to solve key problems for our oil and gas customers.”

“Houston was a natural location to open the first center of this kind,” said Scott Hanson, who will lead business development at the center. “Houston is the global hub of the oil and gas industry, and our proximity will allow us to bring our technical resources and expertise where our customers are.”

3M’s Oil and Gas business has operations in more than 30 countries and is a reliable supplier of thousands of products that are used in virtually every aspect of the industry including exploration, production, refining, transportation and marketing. 3M remains one of the only companies that brings together a vast scope of offerings that aid in a wide variety of applications as varied as corrosion protection, buoyancy and insulation, low density cement, low density fluids, well stimulation, liquid filtration, metal fabrication and repair, pipeline marking and locating, personal protection and fire protection among others.

For more information about 3M’s offerings in the oil and gas industry, please visit www.3m.com/oilandgas.

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 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.

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