TULSA, Okla., July 26, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In response to media and investor inquiries, Syntroleum Corporation (Nasdaq: SYNM ) today provided an update on its ongoing strategic alternatives process.
On July 17, 2013, Syntroleum announced that its Board of Directors has retained Piper Jaffray & Co. for the purpose of evaluating strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value. This action was prompted by the receipt of unsolicited offers from third parties with respect to a potential sale of (1) the company, (2) its assets, (3) its intellectual property or a combination thereof. Piper Jaffray is currently assisting the company with respect to evaluating these alternatives and is actively contacting additional parties as part of this process. There can be no assurances as to whether any particular strategic alternative for the Company will be recommended by the Board of Directors or undertaken or, if so, upon what terms and conditions.
Syntroleum's technology portfolio is weighted to the production of drop-in, synthetic fuels – specifically the production of second generation, drop-in renewable products and the conversion of natural gas to drop-in synthetic diesel, kerosene and naphtha (Gas-to-Liquids or "GTL"). Margins in both renewable fuels and GTL production are at historically high levels. The long run economics of GTL has been significantly enhanced as a result of the revitalization of the North American natural gas industry. Given the favorable commercial environment, the Company believes that now is an appropriate time to broadly review its strategic alternatives with respect to its renewable and GTL intellectual property and its ownership and licensing interest in Dynamic Fuels.
The Dynamic Fuels plant in Geismar, LA is in full standby mode, ready for operations. On February 25, 2013, the Dynamic Fuels Management Committee approved $7.3 million for the procurement and installation of new hydro-isomerization catalyst at the Geismar facility. The new catalyst was delivered to Dynamic Fuels on June 25, 2013 and installation was completed on June 28, 2013. Prior to loading the new catalyst, the hydro-isomerization reactor was inspected by Fairbanks Inspection and Testing on March 11, 2013 and met design specifications. The inspections included non-destructive examination procedures customary in the refining industry. While the plant is ready for commercial operation, the Dynamic Fuels Management Committee has not determined a re-start date.
The company will hold its second quarter earnings conference call on August 7, 2013.
About Syntroleum (Nasdaq: SYNM )
Syntroleum Corporation owns the Syntroleum® Process for Fischer-Tropsch (FT) conversion of synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons, the Synfining® Process for upgrading FT liquid hydrocarbons into refined petroleum products, the Bio-Synfining® technology for converting renewable feedstocks into drop-in fuels and a 50% interest in Dynamic Fuels LLC, which owns the 75mm gallon per year Geismar, Louisiana renewable fuels plant using the Bio-Synfining® technology. For additional information, visit the Company's web site at www.syntroleum.com .
This document may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as well as historical facts. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to the Fischer-Tropsch ("FT") process, Syntroleum ® Process, Synfining ® Process, and related technologies including, gas-to-liquids ("GTL"), coal-to-liquids ("CTL") and biomass-to-liquids ("BTL"), our renewable fuels Bio-Synfining ® Technology (hereinafter "Technologies"), plants based on these Technologies, anticipated cost and schedule to design, construct and operate plants, expected production of fuel, obtaining required financing for these plants and other activities, the value and markets for products, testing, certification, characteristics and use of plant products, the continued development of our Technologies, use of proceeds from our equity offerings, anticipated revenues, availability of catalyst, our support of and relationship with our licensees, and any other forward-looking statements including future growth, cash needs, capital availability, operations, business plans and financial results. When used in this document, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "should" and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these kinds of statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may not be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Syntroleum undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements are described under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10K.
®"Syntroleum", "Synfining", and "Bio-Synfining" are registered as trademarks and service marks in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Ron Stinebaugh Syntroleum Corporation (281) 224-9862 www.syntroleum.com J. Thomas Halverson, Jr. Piper Jaffray & Co. (612) 303-6371 www.piperjaffray.com Jamie Moser / Andrew Siegel Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher (212) 355-4449 www.joelefrank.com
