METAIRIE, LA, Feb. 14, 2005 (PRNewswire-FirstCall) -- Newpark Resources Inc. announced that its Newpark Environmental Water Solutions LLC (NEWS) operating unit has been awarded a contract for the treatment of water generated from coal bed natural gas production in the Powder River basin of Wyoming.
The process to be applied by NEWS utilizes a patented activator that breaks the molecular bond between water and dissolved minerals within the liquid stream. The activator operates without an external energy source. Once separated, the water produced by the plant is beneficially reused and the natural minerals are processed into a non-hazardous solid for disposal. Startup of the plant is scheduled for mid-April 2005.
James D. Cole, Newpark's chairman and CEO, said, "Newpark obtained the exclusive license for the use of this technology in the U.S. and Canada following successful field tests in 2004. Our initial target market for this proprietary treatment technology is focused within the oil and gas industry, where large volumes of water are created in the production process and must be treated or recycled."
The treatment process will be utilized by Anadarko Petroleum Corp. at its County Line field near Gillette, Wyo.
Newpark Resources Inc. (www.newpark.com) is a provider of drilling fluids, environmental waste treatment solutions, and temporary work sites and access roads for oilfield and other commercial markets.
###
