Battelle and IMP Form New Strategic Alliance

Since 1995, Battelle has been drawing on its combined expertise in oil and gas operations and technical skills in pipeline integrity, environmental impact assessment, and environmental management to add value to PEMEX, the sixth largest petroleum producing company in the world. As part of Battelle’s initial project work for PEMEX, Battelle teamed with the Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo (IMP) and staff from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) to conduct an integrated assessment of PEMEX’s environmental impacts.

In 1998, Battelle formed an alliance with the IMP, UNAM, and the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM) to jointly provide environmental and other services to PEMEX and additional clients in the region. Using expertise in offshore exploration and production operations and environmental impacts, this Alianza has recently initiated a similar investigation of offshore production in the Sonda de Campeche area of Southern Mexico.

On January 13, 2003, Battelle and IMP’s respective CEOs, along with the Director General of PEMEX as a witness, signed a new strategic business alliance in Mexico. The focus of this partnership agreement is centered on technology transfer and capacity building between Battelle and IMP in the areas of environment and safety. The new alliance business model motivates both companies to identify existing technologies or propose collaborative development of new technologies that are best suited to address the needs of PEMEX and other potential clients. Ing. Alfonso Ramirez Lavin, Chief of Staff at the IMP, stated “I am excited about the prospects for the innovative business model we are attempting to implement with the Alliance. We will strengthen both of our institutions as a result and will have an innovative model that we can replicate in other markets around the world. Technology transfer is the key to sustainable development and our Alliance may represent a model for international collaboration thereby addressing many of the concerns expressed by those who question the true benefits of globalization.”

The potential of the new collaboration is limitless. Although the initial focus of the Alliance is on PEMEX, both Battelle and IMP have ambitions in non-oil and -gas areas as well. The hope is that the Alliance will enable the two companies to tackle important environmental issues with a regional impact. Dr. Jon Olson, President of Battelle Mexico, stated, “The challenges are great but the rewards are significant for both institutions. We have all the elements for success in this Alliance including the commitment from senior leadership. We share common principles and a dedication to improving the social condition.”

The initial focus of the technology transfer activities between IMP and Battelle will be on eight technologies encompassing environmental laboratory, environmental information systems, pipeline integrity and security systems, environmental assessment, emergency response systems, and remediation management.

For further information, please contact Rick Chidester at (206) 528-3230, chidesterr@battelle.org, or Alfonso Ramirez Lavin at 011-52-55-3003-6200, arlavin@www.imp.mx.