Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Nerviano Medical Sciences and Servier Announce a Collaboration and License Agreement for a Novel Anticancer Drug

NERVIANO, Italy & SURESNES, France - Tuesday, July 30th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nerviano Medical Sciences, the largest pharmaceutical R&D facility in Italy, one of the leading oncology-focused, integrated discovery and development companies in Europe, and Servier, a leading research-based European pharmaceutical company today announced a collaboration and worldwide license agreement to further develop and commercialize first-in-class Nerviano compounds inhibiting the protein kinase TTK/MPS1. A key regulator of mitosis TTK/MPS1 is aberrantly overexpressed in a wide range of tumours and represents a promising target in oncology.

Terms of the collaboration include an upfront fee of € 8 million and a potential for up to € 100 million in option fees, clinical and regulatory milestones in addition to royalties for the sale of licensed products.

Under the terms of the agreement, Nerviano will complete the preclinical development of the lead candidate drug and, if Servier exercises the option, Servier will bear all development and commercialization costs. Nerviano will continue to support Servier for the early clinical development and the supply of the licensed product.

“We are very pleased to enter into this partnership with Servier, as both companies share the common goal to develop innovative drugs in oncology”, said Prof. Alberto Sciumè, President of Nerviano Medical Sciences. “I am confident that Nerviano’s expertise in drug discovery and development will lead to new therapies that will ultimately deliver hope and innovative therapies to cancer patients.”

“This agreement between Servier and Nerviano Medical Sciences for developing a “first-in-class” anticancer treatment is in line with Servier's main objective to provide patients and doctors with innovative therapeutic solutions for severe diseases such as cancer” said Jean-Philippe Seta, MD, CEO of Servier.

“We have preclinical data which suggest that TTK may represent an attractive therapeutic target in a poor prognosis associated subgroup of breast cancer. Nerviano has a strong expertise in oncology research. Combining our capabilities will accelerate the translation of our findings into the clinic”, said Stéphane Depil, M.D., Ph.D., director of Oncology R&D at Servier.

About Nerviano Medical Sciences (www.nervianoms.com) Nerviano Medical Sciences (NMS) is a research based company dedicated to the discovery and development of breakthrough treatments for cancer. NMS has already in place collaborations or licenses with other major pharmaceutical companies such as Genentech/Roche, Pfizer and Novartis as well as with biotechnology companies and academia. Since December 31, 2011 NMS is indirectly owned by Regione Lombardia through the Regional Foundation for Biomedical Research (FRRB).

About Servier (www.servier.com) Servier is a privately-run research based pharmaceutical company with a 2012 turnover of €3.9 billion. Servier reinvests 25% of its turnover in Research & Development in oncology, cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, psychiatric and rheumatological diseases. Servier is established in 140 countries worldwide with over 20,000 employees.

Contacts

NMS / Barabino & Partners:

Tel. +39 02.72.02.35.35



Stefania Bassi,

Mob. +39 335.62.82.667

e-mail: s.bassi@barabino.it



Marco Catalani,

Mob. +39 340.64.62.551

e-mail: m.catalani@barabino.it



Servier

Servier Communication Department

Tel: +33 1 55 72 60 37

presse@servier.fr

O3b Takes Control of First Satellites as in Orbit Testing Successfully Completed

ST. HELIER, Jersey, Channel Islands. - Wednesday, July 31st 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) O3b Networks today announced that its first 4 satellites have successfully cleared in-orbit testing (IOT) following their launch in June. The company has now taken over control and operation of the satellites from their manufacturer Thales Alenia Space.

The Ka-band satellites are in a unique medium earth orbit of 8062km above the earth, in order to minimize latency.

O3b is scheduled to launch its next 4 satellites on September 30. The company will formally launch its commercial service later in the year.

A third four-satellite launch is planned for 2014.

Jean Loic Galle, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, said: "We are very pleased to celebrate the in orbit acceptance of the first four O3b satellites. With the upcoming 4 additional satellites to be launched at the end of September, we wish great success to O3b Networks in the development of its business. This major milestone confirms our expertise in constellations and reinforces Thales Alenia Space's world leading position for telecom constellations in medium and low Earth orbit".

Brian Holz, O3b CTO said: "The handover was successfully completed ahead of schedule. Performance of all 4 spacecraft has been outstanding with all link parameters at or above specification. Thanks to the great work of the O3b and Thales teams, we can now look forward to our second launch with great confidence."

About O3b Networks Limited

O3b Networks Limited (www.o3bnetworks.com) is a global satellite service provider building a next-generation satellite network for telecommunications operators, Internet service providers, enterprise and government customers in emerging markets. The O3b system will combine the global reach of satellite with the speed of a fiber‐optic network providing billions of consumers and businesses in nearly 180 countries with low‐cost, high‐speed, low latency Internet and mobile connectivity. O3b Networks’ investors include SES, Google, Liberty Global, HSBC Principal Investments, Northbridge Venture Partners, Allen & Company, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Sofina, Satya Capital and Luxempart. O3b Networks is headquartered in St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands.

Contacts

Brunswick PR

Marleen Geerlof, Chris Buscombe

Tel: + 44 (0)207 404 5959

E-mail: O3b@brunswickgroup.com

Analogix Semiconductor’s SlimPort Expands Display Options for Google’s New Nexus 7 Tablets

Built-in Connectors Allow Another Google Device to Display High-Resolution Video, Presentations and Games on HDTVs, Monitors and Projectors


SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Tuesday, July 30th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Google’s new Nexus 7 tablet displays an array of new features, including a faster processor and a thinner, lighter profile than its predecessor. But one of its most powerful new features is the ability – thanks to its built-in SlimPort® interface – to connect with TVs, projectors and computer monitors to play home videos, give presentations or even function as a mobile gaming system controller.

Manufactured for Google by Taiwan’s ASUSTeK Computer Inc., the new Nexus 7 tablets use Analogix’s SlimPort solution, which allows users to connect and display content from their tablets on any size screen with full-HD theater-quality resolution, 3D graphics and audio. Consumers benefit from SlimPort immediately by:

    Connecting to an HDTV – and enjoying a full-length movie, sharing pictures and videos.
    Connecting to a Monitor – and editing a document, spreadsheet or browsing the Internet on a larger screen.
    Connecting to a Projector – and giving presentations on the go.

SlimPort solutions provide simple plug-and-play connectivity to any display without the need for an extra power cable. Analogix has also designed its SlimPort accessories to draw only minimal power so that consumers get the maximum playback time from mobile batteries, allowing them to share and enjoy their content for extended periods of time. SlimPort accessories also allow optional charging during playback, so that mobile devices effectively never run out of battery life.

“We’re pleased that Google and ASUS selected our SlimPort solution for the new Nexus 7 tablets, in addition to Google’s already popular Nexus 4 smartphone,” said Andre Bouwer, vice president of marketing for Analogix. “The number of SlimPort-enabled products continues to grow as mobile device makers and consumers recognize the advantages of a single high-performance interface that connects to multiple types of displays.”

Analogix Semiconductor is the leading supplier of DisplayPort-compliant semiconductors and IP products used in notebooks, tablets and other mobile devices. The DisplayPort standard is an innovative, packetized digital interface for high-resolution video and audio that was developed by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). Analogix SlimPort products are based on DisplayPort technology.

About Analogix Semiconductor                                                                     

Analogix Semiconductor, Inc. designs and manufactures semiconductors for the digital multimedia market, from portable devices such as smartphones to high-end graphics cards and large, high-definition displays. Analogix is the market leader in providing end-to-end interface connectivity semiconductor solutions for DisplayPort, including the SlimPort family of products. For more information visit www.analogix.com or follow us on Twitter @Analogix.

Analogix and SlimPort are trademarks or registered trademarks of Analogix Semiconductor, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

Contacts

Analogix

Jonelle Birney Sullivan, 415-819-0847

sullivanj@fullandby.co









Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/8148/en

SES-6 SATELLITE NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL

ME NewsWire / Business Wire

LUXEMBOURG - Tuesday, July 30th 2013

SES S.A. (NYSE Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) announced today that the SES-6 satellite has successfully completed its extensive in-orbit testing and is now fully operational and in commercial service at the orbital position of 40.5 degrees West. The 53rd SES satellite was successfully launched on board an ILS Proton booster from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, on June 4, 2013.

SES-6 was built by EADS Astrium in Toulouse, France, based on the highly reliable Eurostar E3000 platform. The satellite is equipped with 43 C-band and 48 Ku-band transponders. SES-6 had a launch mass of 6,100 kg, features a wingspan of 40m with its solar arrays deployed in orbit, and is designed for 13 kW of spacecraft power at the end of its 15-year design lifetime. The satellite has comprehensive coverage of North America, Latin America, Europe and the Atlantic Ocean.

SES-6 replaces SES' NSS-806 satellite at the prime orbital position of 40.5 degrees West, providing continuity of service and expansion capacity in the C-band for video neighbourhoods in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The largest Ku-band customer on SES-6 is Brazilian telecommunication group Oi. As a new anchor customer, Oi signed a significant long-term capacity agreement to provide Direct-to-Home (DTH) services in Brazil.

Follow us on:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SES_Satellites

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SES.YourSatelliteCompany

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SESVideoChannel

Blog: http://en.ses.com/4243715/blog

Find pictures and videos under: http://www.ses.com/4245221/library

About SES

SES is a world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of 53 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide.

SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the broadcasting industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements.

SES (NYSE Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) holds participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico, as well as a strategic participation in satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks. Further information under: www.ses.com.

Contacts

Yves Feltes

Media Relations

Tel. +352 710 725 311

Yves.Feltes@ses.com









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/8138/en

Toshiba Introduces Sub-Watt Type White LEDs

TOKYO - Tuesday, July 30th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) today announced the launch of white LEDs fabricated with gallium nitride-on-silicon (GaN-on-Si) process. The LEDs are low power sub-watt type, due to reduction of forward voltage (VF). Two package line-ups, the TL2FK series with 3.0 x 1.4mm package and the TL3GA series with 3.0 x 3.0mm package, will be made available. Mass production is scheduled to start from August, 2013.

Applications Light sources for general lighting, including straight tube lights, light bulbs, base lights and ceiling lights

Key Features 1. GaN-on-Si process 2. Two series with different packages (3.0 x 1.4mm and 3.0 x 3.0mm) 3. Low power consumption

For further information about these product series, please visit: http://www.semicon.toshiba.co.jp/eng/product/new_products/opto/1324156_37651.html

Customer Inquiries: Optoelectronic Device Sales and Marketing Department Tel: +81-3-3457-3431

Information in this document, including product prices and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current on the date of the announcement but is subject to change without prior notice.

About Toshiba

Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.

Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 590 consolidated companies, with 206,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 5.8 trillion yen (US$61 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50680433&lang=en

Contacts

Media Inquiries:

Toshiba Corporation

Semiconductor & Storage Products Company

Takashi Mochizuki, +81-3-3457-4963

semicon-NR-mailbox@ml.toshiba.co.jp









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/8137/en

Bank of America Reports Second-Quarter 2013 Net Income of $4.0 Billion, or $0.32 per Diluted Share on Revenue of $22.9 Billion

ME Newswire / Business Wire

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Tuesday, July 30th 2013

Business Momentum Continues

    Deposit Balances up 4 Percent Companywide From Q2-12 to $1.1 Trillion
    First-lien Mortgage Production up 40 Percent From Q2-12 to $25 Billion
    Global Wealth and Investment Management Reports Record Revenue, Pretax Margin, Net Income, Asset Management Fees and Loan Balances
    Commercial Loan Balances up 20 Percent From Q2-12 to $381 Billion
    Global Investment Banking Fees up 36 Percent From Q2-12 to $1.6 Billion; Maintained No. 2 Ranking in Global Investment Banking Fees
    Total Noninterest Expense of $16 Billion, Down $1 Billion From Q2-12
    Credit Quality Continued to Improve With Net Credit Loss Rates Below 1 Percent for the First Time Since Second Quarter of 2006

Capital and Liquidity Remain Strong

    Basel 1 Tier 1 Common Capital Ratio of 10.83 Percent, up From 10.49 Percent in Prior Quarter
    Estimated Basel 3 Tier 1 Common Capital Ratio of 9.60 Percent, up From 9.52 Percent in Prior QuarterB
    Long-term Debt Down $39 Billion From Year-ago Quarter, Driven by Maturities and Liability Management Actions
    Parent Company Liquidity Remained Strong With Time-to-required Funding at 32 Months

Bank of America Corporation (NYSE: BAC) today reported that second-quarter 2013 net income rose 63 percent to $4.0 billion from $2.5 billion in the second quarter of 2012. Earnings per diluted share increased to $0.32 from $0.19 in the second quarter of 2012. Revenue, net of interest expense, on a fully taxable-equivalent (FTE)A basis rose 3 percent to $22.9 billion from $22.2 billion a year ago.

The results for the second quarter of 2013 were driven by year-over-year improvements in net interest income, investment and brokerage income, investment banking fees, sales and trading revenue, equity investment income and credit quality as well as expense reductions. These items were partially offset by the absence of year-ago gains related to liability management actions and lower mortgage banking income.

"We are doing more business with our customers and clients, and gaining momentum across every customer group we serve," said Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan. "We must keep improving, but with the consumer recovering and businesses strong, we have lots of opportunity ahead.”

"At the beginning of the year, we said we would focus on three things – revenue stability, strengthening the balance sheet and managing costs," said Chief Financial Officer Bruce Thompson. "This quarter, we delivered on all three. Revenue increased 3 percent, we continued to build capital ratios, despite the negative impact of higher interest rates on our bond portfolio, and we reduced expenses related to servicing delinquent mortgage loans at a faster rate than we originally expected."

To view the full release including the table, please click here

Contacts

Investors May Contact:

Anne Walker, Bank of America, 1.646.855.3644

Lee McEntire, Bank of America, 1.980.388.6780



Reporters May Contact:

Jerry Dubrowski, Bank of America, 1.980.388.2840

jerome.f.dubrowski@bankofamerica.com







Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/8146/en

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

David Weekley Homes Honors Trane with 2013 Partners of Choice Award

TYLER, Texas - Tuesday, July 30th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) For the seventh time in nine years, Trane, a leading global provider of indoor comfort solutions and services and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, has been selected by the nation’s largest, privately held residential home builder, David Weekley Homes, as a winner of its nationally recognized “Partners of Choice” Award. The Partners of Choice award is the result of David Weekley Homes’ interactive supplier feedback platform. Each year, this interactive evaluation system culminates in David Weekley Homes presenting its acclaimed Partners of Choice Award honoring those suppliers who earned an “A” in the areas of either quality, service or both, over a 12-month period. This year Trane was one of only 24 suppliers to receive the award, earning an “A” in service.

“Our interactive feedback system is a practical way of measuring world-class excellence,” said Bill Justus, vice president of supply chain services for David Weekley Homes and founder of the home builder’s evaluation platform. “Our rating system allows us to compare performance across all industries. Our team members have spoken, and as a result have acknowledged Trane for delivering world-class service to David Weekley Homes.”

At the heart of this platform is the National Trading Partner Survey, in which approximately 600 of the home builder’s team members are asked to evaluate national partners on quality and service. Each supplier’s numeric scores are averaged, and then an alpha rating – from “A” to “F” – is assigned relative to its ranking with all other national trading partners. Then, through a series of discussions, meetings and coaching calls, David Weekley Homes and its suppliers search for the best way to achieve excellence together. Through this process, David Weekley Homes takes “partnering with its suppliers” to a world-class level.

“Trane’s seven years of winning David Weekley’s prestigious “Partner of Choice” Award is a testament to the unstoppable nature of our HVAC systems and our people,” said Steven Ross, business development manager at Trane. “By teaming up with David Weekley Homes and working closely with our distributor and contractor partners, we are able to provide the highest level of customer service for new construction projects. We work together to create beautiful, comfortable homes with the value that discerning customers expect from Trane and David Weekley Homes – leaders in our respective industries.”

About Trane, a brand of Ingersoll Rand

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands—including Club Car®, Ingersoll Rand®, Schlage®, Thermo King® and Trane®—work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings; transport and protect food and perishables; secure homes and commercial properties; and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. Trane solutions optimize indoor environments with a broad portfolio of energy efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, building and contracting services, parts support and advanced control. Ingersoll Rand is a $14 billion global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. For more information, visit ingersollrand.com or trane.com.

About David Weekley Homes

David Weekley Homes, founded in 1976, is headquartered in Houston and operates in 17 cities across the United States. David Weekley Homes was the first builder in the United States to be awarded the Triple Crown of American Home Building, an honor which includes “America’s Best Builder,” “Builder of the Year,” and the “National Housing Quality Award.” Weekley has also appeared seven times on FORTUNE® magazine’s coveted “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. Since inception, David Weekley Homes has closed more than 70,000 homes. For more information about David Weekley Homes, visit the company’s web site at www.davidweekleyhomes.com.

Contacts
Carmichael Lynch Spong
Matt Petersen, 612-375-8560
matt.petersen@clynch.com









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/8136/en

Nordson EFD White Paper “10 Essential Questions for Reevaluating Your Medical Device Assembly Process” Now Available

Helps select a dispense valve system for optimal performance

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Monday, July 29th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Nordson EFD, a Nordson company (NASDAQ: NDSN), has recently published a white paper that helps the reader determine the best dispense valve system for specific medical device applications. Some of the common problems encountered with fluid dispensing in the medical device industry are discussed and tips for improving dispense valve performance are offered. The paper, “10 Essential Questions for Reevaluating Your Medical Device Assembly Process,” is now available on the Nordson EFD website in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese.

“Selecting the correct dispense valve for the specific application and fluid used can save money, increase production, reduce bottlenecks, and improve overall product quality. Medical device manufacturers must meet stringent FDA regulations for quality and product consistency, which makes rigorous process control essential. Fluids for medical device manufacturing can be extremely expensive. It is vital to have quality assembly equipment that generates consistent and accurate results, without fluid contamination, to avoid costly waste,” explained Nordson EFD product line manager, Claude Bergeron.

The paper explains and provides diagrams on topics such as how to pick a valve style and configuration to match the properties of the fluid being dispensed. It looks at taking a system approach to fluid dispensing in CIP (Clean-In-Place) and SIP (Sterilize-In-Place) medical assembly process standards, as well as offers advice on how to optimize dispensing line speed, accuracy, and consistency.

“10 Essential Questions for Reevaluating Your Medical Device Assembly Process” can be downloaded at:

http://www.nordsonefd.com/pr/medical-whitepaper/default.htm

Image of white paper at: http://www.nordsonefd.com/images/nordson_efd_ls_white_paper.jpg

For more information, visit Nordson EFD on the web at www.nordsonefd.com, www.facebook.com/NordsonEFD, or www.linkedin.com/company/nordson-efd, email at info@nordsonefd.com, or call +1-401-431-7000 or 800-556-3484.

About Nordson EFD

Nordson EFD designs and manufactures precision fluid dispensing systems for benchtop assembly processes and automated assembly lines. EFD dispensing systems help companies in a wide variety of industries increase throughput, improve quality, and lower production costs. Additional fluid management capabilities include syringe barrels and cartridges for packaging one- and two-component materials and a wide variety of fittings, couplers and connectors for controlling fluid flow in medical, biopharmaceutical, and industrial environments. The company is a leading formulator of specialty solder pastes for dispensing and printing applications in the electronics industry.

About Nordson Corporation

Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ: NDSN) delivers precision technology solutions to help customers succeed worldwide. The company engineers, manufactures and markets differentiated products and systems used for dispensing adhesives, coatings, sealants, biomaterials and other materials, fluid management, test and inspection, UV curing and plasma surface treatment, all supported by application expertise and direct global sales and service. Nordson serves a wide variety of consumer non-durable, durable and technology end markets including packaging, nonwovens, electronics, medical, appliances, energy, transportation, construction, and general product assembly and finishing. Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, the company has operations and support offices in more than 30 countries. Visit Nordson on the web at www.nordson.com, www.twitter.com/Nordson_Corp or www.facebook.com/nordson.

Contacts

Nordson EFD

Rhonda Mitchell, +1-401-431-7065

Strategic Marketing Services Manager

Rhonda.Mitchell@nordsonefd.com



A R Marketing, Inc. (agency)

Andrea Roberts, +1-858-451-8666

andrea@armarketinginc.com



 

Monday, July 29, 2013

Toshiba to Launch Ultra-compact MOSFETs for High-current Charging Circuits of Mobile Devices

Line-up expanded for high-power dissipation packages

TOKYO - Monday, July 29th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today announced that it has launched ultra-compact MOSFETs for the switches of high-current charging circuits, including 2 cell batteries, of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

As additional functions are added to mobile devices, such as smartphones and cellular phones, tablets and notebook PCs, and as more demands are made on their batteries, efforts continue to boost charge density and to improve the user experience by significantly increasing the charging current to cut charge times. The new ultra-compact "SSM6J781G" and "SSM6J771G" are Toshiba's latest additions to its high-current MOSFET line-up of high-power dissipation packages. Mass production shipment starts from today.

Applications High-current charging switches for mobile devices like smartphones and cellular phones, tablets and notebook PCs.

Recommended Circuits 1. High-side switch (Pch) 2. High-side switch combining boost control LSI (Nch) 3. Control switch for low-side battery protection (Nch)

Key Features 1. High-current 2. Low ON-resistance 3. Low capacitance 4. Small package (1.5 x 1.0 mm; WCSP6C) 5. High-power dissipation (High PD)

To view the main specifications kindly click here

*Follow this link for more on this product. http://www.semicon.toshiba.co.jp/eng/product/new_products/transistor/1324116_37649.html

Customer Inquiries: Small Signal Device Sales & Marketing Department Tel: +81-3-3457-3411

Information in this document, including product prices and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current on the date of the announcement but is subject to change without prior notice.

About Toshiba Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.

Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 590 consolidated companies, with 206,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 5.8 trillion yen (US$61 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm

To view the full release including the table, please click here

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130728005069/en/

Contacts

Media Inquiries:

Toshiba Corporation

Semiconductor & Storage Products Company

Takashi Mochizuki / Koji Takahata, +81-3-3457-4963

semicon-NR-mailbox@ml.toshiba.co.jp

J.P. Morgan to Explore Strategic Alternatives for its Physical Commodities Business

NEW YORK - Sunday, July 28th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) announced today that it has concluded an internal review and is pursuing strategic alternatives for its physical commodities business, including its remaining holdings of commodities assets and its physical trading operations.

To maximize value, the firm will explore a full range of options over time including, but not limited to: a sale, spin off or strategic partnership of its physical commodities business. During the process, the firm will continue to run its physical commodities business as a going concern and fully support ongoing client activities.

J.P. Morgan has built a leading commodities franchise in recent years, achieving a top-ranked revenue position. The business has been consistently named as a top client business in Greenwich Associates’ annual client surveys and was recently named Derivatives House of the Year by Energy Risk magazine.

Following the internal review, J.P. Morgan has also reaffirmed that it will remain fully committed to its traditional banking activities in the commodity markets, including financial derivatives and the vaulting and trading of precious metals. The firm will continue to make markets, provide liquidity and offer advice to global companies and institutions that have, for years, relied on J.P. Morgan’s global risk management expertise.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.4 trillion and operations worldwide. The firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers, small business and commercial banking, financial transaction processing, asset management and private equity. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

Contacts

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Investor Contact:

Sarah Youngwood, (212) 270-7325



Media Contact:

Brian Marchiony, 212-270-7433

 

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Unitedprint: Over a Quarter of a Million Facebook Fans

Online print shop enjoys huge success on social networks

RADEBEUL, Germany - Sunday, July 28th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Unitedprint.com SE has pulled it off: with its strong brands www.print24.com and www.easyprint.de the online print shop has reached the magical milestone of over a quarter of a million Facebook fans, thereby once again asserting its leading social media position among international online print shops!

The Facebook community of print24 and easyprint benefits from attractive competitions, fascinating contributions as well as interesting tips and tricks on creating print data. This perfect combination of interaction, inspiration and information characterizes the print shop’s success on social networks.

easyprint is an innovative online print shop geared in particular towards small businesses, families and individuals. It boasts the intuitive option of being able to design online with ease and print out postcards, flyers and business cards for free. Since its relaunch in May this year, easyprint has already managed to attract 50,000 fans and 10,000 personal comments in just a matter of weeks. The new Apple iMac is up for grabs as part of the "Easyprint or Vistaprint? You decide!" competition, which will run until July 31, 2013.

unitedprint.com SE with its brands print24, easyprint, unitedprint, firstprint, getprint and printwhat is one of the world’s leading online print shops. The company offers its customers high-quality flyers, posters, postcards, brochures, business cards, letterheads and much more besides; all within the shortest delivery times and at the lowest prices. Over 700 employees work around the clock using the latest technology in a production area of over 10,000 sqm. The sites are located in 26 countries worldwide – Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US.

The original source-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the source-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect

Contacts
unitedprint.com SE
Maria Lehmann
Tel. +49-351-27225388
maria.lehmann@unitedprint.com
www.unitedprint.com









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/8120/en

Abu Dhabi Police Takes Part in Airplane Quality Control Course in Milan

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Thursday, July 25th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

The Air Wing Department at the Abu Dhabi Police participated in a course on airplane quality control that was recently held at Agusta Systocalendi Academy in Milan, Italy.

The delegation, which was headed by Lieutenant Colonel Adel Abdul Aziz Al Sajwani, Director of Supply Branch, included Major Eng. Waleed Mohammed Al Raisi, First Lieutenant Abdullah Hasan Al Marzouqi, and Lieutenant Technician Ibrahim Al Bloushi.

Lieutenant Colonel Al Sajwani said: “The course addressed topics of quality control in airplane maintenance, spare parts, quality management and standards, and engineering planning for airplane maintenance. It also covered human error in aviation and ways to limit these errors, and approved international aviation laws that regulate technical work.”

He added: “The two-week course was successful and useful to the officers at the Maintenance and Technical Supply sections. It helped to achieve self-development by acquiring additional skills through the airplane manufacturers. Furthermore, this course promotes direct and proactive communication with experts. The course included field trips to airplane manufacturing plants as well.”

For more information about:

The Ministry of Interior, please click HERE

Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE

Follow us and check our Social Media feeds on: YouTube, Facebook and Twitter

Photo Caption:

Photo: During the course

The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com





 

Toshiba Launches 15Mbps Photocouplers Realizing Low Power Consumption

TOKYO - Saturday, July 27th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) today announced that it has launched photocouplers, “TLP2361” and “TLP2161”, that combine 15Mbps high-speed communication with low power consumption. Mass production is scheduled to start in August, 2013.

The products incorporate Toshiba’s original infrared LED. The LED’s high output and reliability secure low input current operations and reduce threshold input current by approximately 54% compared with equivalent products1. This LED’s stable output under high ambient temperature guarantees operation up to 125 degrees Celsius, the industry’s highest class2 of operation. Fabricated with Bi-CMOS process, supply current per channel is lowered to 1mA (max.), which cuts total supply current by approximately 66% for “TLP2361”, and approximately 60% for “TLP2161”.

“TLP2361”, with a small SO6 package, achieves clearances and creepage distance of 5mm (min.) and complies with the reinforced insulation3 class of overseas safety standard (EN60747-5-5). “TLP2161”, incorporating two circuits in SO8 package, reduces mounting area by approximately 40%, compared with two units of “TLP2361”, and contributes to downsizing of applications and reduction of PCB cost.

Applications FA networks, I/O interface boards, high-speed digital interface used in PLC and control devices


Key Features

1.
         

Uses the BiCMOS process realizing reduction of supply current
           

TLP2361: 1.0mA (Max.) (Approximately 66% reduction vs. equivalent product)
           

TLP2161: 2.0mA (Max.) (Approximately 60% reduction vs. equivalent product)

2.
         

Reduces threshold input current
           

1.6mA (Max.) (Approximately 54% reduction vs. equivalent product)

3.
         

Enables operation with low voltage
           

Guaranteed operating voltage: 2.7 – 5.5V

4.
         

Realizes operation in high ambient temperature
           

Guaranteed Topr (Max) = 125°C


Main Specifications

Part Number
         

Existing
         

New
         

Existing
         

New
     

TLP2366
         

TLP2361
         

TLP2160
         

TLP2161

Package
         

SO6
         

SO8

Threshold Input Current (mA)
         

3.5
         

1.6
         

3.5
         

1.6

Supply Current (mA)
         

3.0
         

1.0
         

5.0
         

2.0

Operating Temperature [Topr] (°C)
         

-40~125
         

-40~125

Insulation Voltage [BVs] (Vrms)
         

3750
         

2500


Notes:

[1]:
         

Equivalent product of “TLP2361” is “TLP2366”. Equivalent product of “TLP2161” is “TLP2160”.

[2]:
         

As of July, 2013. Research by Toshiba Corporation.

[3]:
         

A single insulation system which provides same degree of double insulation against electrical shock.
           

For further information about this product, please visit: http://www.semicon.toshiba.co.jp/eng/product/new_products/opto/1324548_37651.html

Customer Inquiries: Optoelectronic Device Sales and Marketing Department Tel: +81-3-3457-3431

Information in this document, including product prices and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current on the date of the announcement but is subject to change without prior notice.

About Toshiba

Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.

Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 590 consolidated companies, with 206,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 5.8 trillion yen (US$61 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50678489&lang=en

Contacts

Media Inquiries:

Toshiba Corporation

Semiconductor & Storage Products Company

Takashi Mochizuki, +81-3-3457-4963

semicon-NR-mailbox@ml.toshiba.co.jp









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/8110/en

Afatinib Receives Positive CHMP Opinion for Patients with EGFR Mutation Positive Lung Cancer in European Union

ME Newswire / Business Wire

INGELHEIM, Germany - Friday, July 26th 2013

•    Positive CHMP opinion follows FDA approval for Boehringer Ingelheim’s frontrunner oncology compound 

•    The largest global Phase III registration trial, LUX-Lung 3, demonstrated that patients with EGFR mutation positive lung cancer benefited from afatinib treatment versus standard chemotherapy

Boehringer Ingelheim today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency has issued a positive opinion for afatinib – which has been submitted under the European Union brand name GIOTRIF®*. Afatinib is the first irreversible ErbB Family Blocker for the treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor naive adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating EGFR mutation(s).

“Boehringer Ingelheim welcomes the decision by the CHMP which follows the recent FDA approval of afatinib. We look forward to making afatinib available soon to patients with EGFR mutation positive lung cancer in Europe,” said Prof Klaus Dugi, Corporate Senior Vice President Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim. “Afatinib irreversibly blocks EGFR and other relevant members of the ErbB Family and has demonstrated a meaningful therapeutic benefit in clinical trials.”

The prevalence of tumours harbouring EGFR mutations is between 10-15% in Caucasian and 40% in Asian NSCLC patients.1 In clinical trials, afatinib has been shown to offer patients with this type of lung cancer a significant delay in tumour progression, coupled with improvements in their lung cancer related symptoms and quality of life.2,3 Therefore, testing for mutations in EGFR is a crucial step in the treatment-decision pathway, and is strongly recommended by many international oncology organisations. This enables healthcare professionals to make informed treatment decisions and patients to receive the right targeted therapy from the start.

“Targeted therapies offer a personalised approach to lung cancer treatment, from which patients can hugely benefit”, commented Dr. Sanjay Popat, Consultant Medical Oncologist, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London and clinical investigator in the LUX-Lung 3 trial. “Today’s recommendation for approval of afatinib by the CHMP brings us even closer to providing patients in Europe with advanced NSCLC, the prospect of a targeted treatment option, which has demonstrated consistent and superior efficacy compared with standard chemotherapy across large scale clinical trials.”

The CHMP’s positive opinion for afatinib is based on data from the pivotal LUX-Lung 3 trial, the largest global Phase III trial in patients with EGFR mutation positive lung cancer, comparing afatinib to chemotherapy with pemetrexed/cisplatin. Data from LUX-Lung 3 has shown that patients taking afatinib as a first-line treatment lived for almost one year without their tumour growing again (median progression-free survival (PFS) of 11.1 months) versus just over half a year (PFS of 6.9 months) for those treated with pemetrexed/cisplatin. Of note, NSCLC patients with tumours harbouring the two most common EGFR mutations (del19 or L858R, accounting for 90% of all EGFR mutations) taking afatinib lived for well over a year without tumour progression (PFS of 13.6 months) versus just over half a year (PFS of 6.9 months) for those in the comparator arm.2

The delay in disease progression for afatinib demonstrated in clinical trials was associated with better control of life-restricting disease-related symptoms. More patients taking afatinib experienced improvement of symptoms such as dyspnoea (shortness of breath), cough and chest pain, as measured by standard lung cancer questionnaires. Afatinib also delayed the worsening of these symptoms.3

There was a low discontinuation rate associated with treatment-related adverse events in the LUX-Lung 3 trial (8% discontinuation rate for afatinib; 12% for chemotherapy). The most common grade 3 drug-related adverse events observed in the afatinib treatment arm were diarrhoea (14%), rash (16%), and inflammation of the nail bed (paronychia) (11%). One percent of patients in the afatinib arm discontinued due to drug-related diarrhoea.2 The most common drug-related grade 3 adverse events observed in the chemotherapy arm (pemetrexed/cisplatin) were neutropenia (15%), fatigue (13%), and leucopenia (8%).

Afatinib is approved in the U.S. under the U.S. brand name GILOTRIF™ and has been submitted to regulatory bodies in Asia and worldwide for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR mutations. Regulatory reviews by health authorities in the EU, Asia and other countries are ongoing.

Notes to Editors

http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/news/news_releases/press_releases/2013/26_july_2013_oncology.html

* Afatinib’s anticipated brand name for the European Union is GIOTRIF®. In the U.S., afatinib is approved under the U.S. brand name GILOTRIF™. Regulatory reviews by health authorities in the EU, Asia and other countries are ongoing.

References

1 Jang TW et al. 2009. EGFR and KRAS Mutations in Patients With Adenocarcinoma of the Lung. The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine, March; 24(1), pp.48–54.

2 Yang JC, Shuler M, Yamamoto N, et al. LUX-Lung 3: A randomized, open-label, phase III study of afatinib versus pemetrexed and cisplatin as first-line treatment for patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the lung harboring EGFR-activating mutations. J Clin Oncol 2012;30(18,Suppl):abstract LBA 7500.

3 Sequist LV et al. LUX-Lung 3: Symptom and health-related quality of life results from a randomized phase III study in 1st-line advanced NSCLC patients harbouring EGFR mutations. ESMO 2012 Congress. Abstract no: 1229PD.

Contacts

Boehringer Ingelheim

Reinhard Malin

Corporate Communications

Media + PR

Phone: +49 6132 – 77 90815

Fax: +49 6132 – 77 6601

Email: press@boehringer-ingelheim.com

 

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Takeda Announces Unblinding of Phase 3 Study of Orteronel in Patients with Metastatic, Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer That Progressed Post-Chemotherapy Based on Interim Analysis

Pre-specified interim analysis indicated study would likely not meet the primary endpoint of improved overall survival

OSAKA, Japan & CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Friday, July 26th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) announced today that it has unblinded the ELM-PC 5 Phase 3 study (C21005) of orteronel plus prednisone compared to placebo plus prednisone in patients with metastatic, castration- resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) that had progressed during or following chemotherapy based on the recommendation of the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC). The pre-specified interim analysis indicated that orteronel plus prednisone would likely not meet the primary endpoint of improved overall survival (OS) when compared to the control arm (HR 0.894, p=0.226). The interim analysis did show an advantage for orteronel plus prednisone for the secondary endpoint, radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) over the control arm (HR 0.755, p=0.00029). In addition, there were no safety concerns.

Takeda intends to allow all patients participating in the ELM-PC 5 study who were randomized to orteronel to continue on therapy following consultation with their physicians and study investigators. The appropriate health authorities and clinical study investigators are being notified that the ELM-PC 5 study has been unblinded.

The decision to unblind the ELM-PC 5 study is not expected to impact other ongoing company-sponsored clinical trials with orteronel, including the ELM-PC 4 pivotal Phase 3 study (C21004) comparing orteronel plus prednisone to placebo plus prednisone in patients with chemotherapy-naive mCRPC.

“While we are disappointed that the ELM-PC 5 study did not meet the primary endpoint of improved overall survival, we remain committed to developing new therapies for patients with prostate cancer,” stated Michael Vasconcelles, M.D., Global Head of the Takeda Oncology Therapeutic Area Unit. “We would like to acknowledge with gratitude the patients, their families, and the study investigators for their significant contributions to the ELM-PC 5 trial. Takeda remains dedicated to developing innovative treatment options for patients with cancer.”

Safety and efficacy findings from the trial will be presented when fully available and analyzed.

Orteronel is an investigational oral, non-steroidal, selective inhibitor of 17,20-lyase, a key enzyme in the production of steroidal hormones.

About ELM-PC 5 (C21005)

The ELM-PC 5 (Evaluation of the Lyase inhibitor orteronel in Metastatic Prostate Cancer 5) study is a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, global Phase 3 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of orteronel plus prednisone compared with placebo plus prednisone in men with mCRPC that had progressed during or following docetaxel-based therapy. The primary endpoint was OS. The key secondary endpoints were prostate specific antigen (PSA) response, pain response at 12 weeks, and radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS).

About ELM-PC 4 (C21004)

The ELM-PC 4 (Evaluation of the Lyase inhibitor orteronel in Metastatic Prostate Cancer 4) is a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, global Phase 3 study evaluating orteronel plus prednisone compared with placebo plus prednisone in the treatment of men with progressive, chemotherapy-naive mCRPC. The primary endpoints are rPFS and OS. The key secondary endpoints are PSA response, changes in circulating tumor cell (CTC) counts, and time to pain progression.

About Orteronel

Orteronel, discovered by Takeda, is an investigational oral, non-steroidal, selective inhibitor of 17,20-lyase, a key enzyme in the production of steroidal hormones including androgens. Synthesis of androgens outside the testes contributes to disease progression in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

About Takeda

Located in Osaka, Japan, Takeda is a research-based global company with its main focus on pharmaceuticals. As the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and one of the global leaders of the industry, Takeda is committed to strive towards better health for people worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Additional information about Takeda is available through its corporate website, www.takeda.com.

Contacts
For Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Lindsay Treadway, +1-617-444-3383
lindsay.treadway@mpi.com

 Corporate Communications Dept. (PR/IR), +81-3-3278-2037







Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/8106/en

Financial Times and Citi Announce Judging Panel for the 2013 FT/Citi Ingenuity Awards

Global panel to recognize innovative solutions to urban challenges

ME Newswire / Business Wire

NEW YORK - Thursday, July 25th 2013

Today the Financial Times and Citi announce the panel of judges participating in the 2013 FT/Citi Ingenuity Awards: Urban Ideas in Action programme, sponsored by Citi. The judges – all leaders in their respective fields – will select the most innovative solutions enabling urban progress, including city administration, transport systems, energy and utilities, education and resource management, housing, health, social services and mobile technologies.

The 2013 judging panel includes:

    Professor Abhijit Banerjee, Economist: Current Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; co-author of Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty, winner of the 2011 FT/Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award.
    John Bowis, OBE, Honorary President, Health First Europe: Former UK Health Minister, former member of the UK Parliament, former member of the European Parliament and Lead Coordinator & Spokesman for the Environment & Health Parliamentary Committee.
    Sir Terry Farrell, CBE, International Architect & Design Champion and Director, Terry Farrell and Partners: Leading architect, currently on the London Mayor’s Design Advisory Panel and Outer London Commission, author of many books including Shaping London.
    Edwin Heathcote, Architecture and Design Critic, Financial Times (co-chair): Architect, designer and FT critic since 1999; author of several books, including Monument Builders: Modern Architecture and Death.
    Bruno Lanvin, Executive Director, European Competitiveness Initiative, INSEAD (co-chair): Leading the work of INSEAD on global indices, including the Global Innovation Index (GII), which ranks 142 countries according to their abilities to drive innovation. He is also heading a new project on global talent competition, which will include a comparison of the performance of cities in this regard.
    Janice Muthui, Foundation Manager, Community Cooker Foundation, 2012 FT/Citi Ingenuity Awards global winner: The Kenyan not-for-profit organization was selected as the global winner of the inaugural awards in 2012 for developing an innovative and practical waste-burning stove, which holds tremendous potential for environmental, economic and social change in low resource environments.
    Professor Carlo Ratti, Italian Architect and Engineer: Founding Partner of design practice 'carlorattiassociati' and Director of the MIT SENSEable City Laboratory at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
    Professor Anne-Marie Slaughter, President, New America Foundation: Former Director of Policy Planning for the United States Department of State and former Dean of Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
    Luanne Zurlo, Founder and President, Worldfund: Former Wall Street securities analyst (Smith Barney, CSFB and Goldman Sachs) and founder of Worldfund, a non-profit using education to fight poverty in Latin America.

- ends -

About the Financial Times:

The Financial Times, one of the world’s leading business news organisations, is recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. Providing essential news, comment, data and analysis for the global business community, the FT has a combined paid print and digital circulation of more than 600,000 (Deloitte assured, Q1 2013). Mobile is an increasingly important channel for the FT, driving a third of FT.com traffic and 15% of digital subscriptions. FT education products now serve 25 of the world’s top 50 business schools.

About Citi:

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.

Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://blog.citigroup.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi

About Citi for Cities:

Citi for Cities is an initiative that harnesses the best of Citi across the globe to enable cities to become more efficient, by providing financing that facilitates commerce and modernization, and by empowering citizens to access services that enhance liveability and prosperity. Citi aims to help cities achieve their ambitions across the key ecosystems that power a city including administration, roads and transit, ports of entry, energy and utilities, workplace and education, health and safety and regeneration and development. Citi’s span of engagement with cities includes public and private sectors, the financial sector and citizens and the communities in which they live. For more information, please visit www.citiforcities.com.

About the FT/Citi Ingenuity Awards

More than half the world’s population lives in cities today, a number which is expected to rise in the decades ahead. As a result, cities have a pressing need to address the challenges of urbanisation and find solutions that modernise infrastructure, improve efficiency, enhance quality of life and foster sustainable growth and development.

The FT/Citi Ingenuity Awards: Urban Ideas in Action, a global programme sponsored by Citi, was developed to recognise leaders, teams, organisations and community groups who have developed innovative solutions to urban challenges that benefit cities, citizens and urban communities.

Top candidates will be profiled in two FT global magazine supplements and invited to participate in events to further dialogue on urban challenges and solutions. Finalists will be selected by region. One winner will be chosen for each region. A global winner will be announced at an awards dinner in New York in December 2013.

Submissions will be reviewed based on a range of criteria, including originality, impact, efficiency and outcome. Criteria were developed by INSEAD, one of the world's leading and largest graduate business schools. All entries will be reviewed by the FT and INSEAD for qualification. A panel of global subject matter experts will select winners. As sponsor, Citi will not review or judge submissions. Eligibility criteria and additional program details are available at www.FTCitiawards.com. Follow the conversation at #FTCitiAwards.

Contacts

Financial Times

Ryann Gastwirth, + 1-917-551-5094

ryann.gastwirth@ft.com



Citi

Liz Fogarty, +1-212-559-0486



Financial Times

Kristina Eriksson, +44 (0)20 7873 4961

kristina.eriksson@ft.com





Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/8078/en

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Terason uSmart 3200T Receives CE Mark and 510(k) FDA Clearance

BURLINGTON, Mass - Thursday, July 25th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Teratech Corporation today announced the launch of the new uSmart 3200T Ultrasound System, the first in Terason’s uSmart family of proprietary products. This revolutionary new tablet, deemed “disruptive technology” by industry leaders, will change the way healthcare is delivered in both hospital and outpatient sectors of point-of-care ultrasound.

The new light-weight, power-packed uSmart 3200T Ultrasound System is a fusion of cutting-edge technology with an intuitive interface that defines simplicity. The newest member of the Terason family weighs less than 5 lbs., provides razor-sharp image quality, and is fully equipped with all the features and functionality users have come to expect from Terason products. Developed by clinicians for clinicians, the uSmart 3200T provides the best tools for busy practices, including a 128GB Solid State hard drive, Smart Gestures, an Adaptive Touch Screen, uConnect remote capabilities, and a fast boot-up time.

Jeff Sirek, General Manager of Global Operations for Terason, states “The uSmart 3200T is truly a unique and revolutionary product in the world of portable ultrasound. In our fast-paced technology environment, healthcare providers require products that can keep up with the ever-changing demands of their hospital or practice. We have developed the first tablet-based system where high technology meets superior performance.”

As an industry pioneer, Terason developed and was the first to patent color portable ultrasound. Since then with over 50 patents protecting the technology, our crystal clear image quality, open architecture, and customer dedication has earned us a reputation for excellence. This reputation is what motivates Terason every day to strive to exceed expectations and industry standards, providing our customers with the latest advancements in portable ultrasound. “I am confident that every facility conducting ultrasound exams will benefit from this technology. The uSmart 3200T represents Terason’s continued commitment to expanding its product portfolio in order to meet the diagnostic needs of our worldwide customer base,” added Sirek.

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About Terason

Terason, a division of Teratech Corporation began in 1994, drawing upon technology developed at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory. Dr. Alice Chiang, CEO and Chairman of the Board, founded the company to apply developments in the fields of radar, sonar, and telecommunications technologies to the demanding requirements of battlefield ultrasound. Recognizing that decades of breakthrough research for the Department of Defense could be applied to the challenges of mainstream ultrasound imaging, she formed the Terason division. With initial key patents protecting the integrated circuit technology she developed at MIT, Dr. Chiang dedicated Terason to the development of a micro-miniaturized commercial ultrasound system.

Today, we continue to revolutionize ultrasound with developments in high-performance portable systems. The new proprietary uSmart products provide exceptional imaging capability and the advanced features and functionality users have come to expect from Terason. These complete ultrasound solutions optimize workflow, enhance clinical efficacy, and increase productivity for everyday clinical needs. For more information go to www.terason.com.

Contacts

Terason

Susan Boschetto, 781-270-4143

Director of Global Marketing





 

Schlumberger Announces Second-Quarter 2013 Results

PARIS - Thursday, July 25th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB) today reported second-quarter 2013 revenue of $11.18 billion versus $10.57 billion in the first quarter of 2013, and $10.34 billion in the second quarter of 2012.

Income from continuing operations attributable to Schlumberger, excluding charges and credits, was $1.54 billion—an increase of 19% sequentially and an increase of 14% year-on-year. Diluted earnings-per-share from continuing operations, excluding charges and credits, was $1.15 versus $0.97 in the previous quarter, and $1.01 in the second quarter of 2012.

Schlumberger completed the wind down of service operations in Iran during the second quarter of 2013. Accordingly, the historical results of this business have been reclassified to discontinued operations and all prior periods have been restated.

Schlumberger recorded $0.51 per share of net credits in the second quarter of 2013 versus charges of $0.07 per share in the previous quarter, and charges of $0.02 per share in the second quarter of 2012.

Oilfield Services revenue of $11.18 billion was up 6% sequentially and increased 8% year-on-year. Oilfield Services pretax operating income of $2.28 billion was up 16% sequentially and increased 12% year-on-year.

Schlumberger CEO Paal Kibsgaard commented, “Strong Schlumberger second-quarter results were marked by significantly higher international activity, both offshore and in key land markets. In North America, we benefited from solid execution on land and further strength in deepwater activity to achieve solid overall progress despite competitive land pricing and the effects of the Western Canada spring break-up. Double-digit sequential revenue growth was recorded by the Reservoir Characterization Group and by the Middle East & Asia and the Europe/CIS/Africa Areas. All Areas displayed strong execution and integration performance that, together with new technology sales, helped operating margins reach or exceed 20% across all geographies.

International results were led by the Middle East & Asia Area, as exploration and drilling activity rebounded in China and Australia, growth continued in the key markets of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and both land and marine seismic activity showed further progress. In Europe/CIS/Africa, activity levels rebounded in Russia and the North Sea, while increased exploration in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa further boosted growth. Latin America saw increasing Integrated Project Management activity, although the effect of this was offset by seasonal seismic vessel transits.

New technology deployment was strong in the quarter with growing customer interest in new formation evaluation, drillbit and well intervention products and services. The OneSubsea™ joint venture was completed with Cameron, and we look forward to the opportunities for the best-in-class new subsea technologies and solutions that we expect this new organization to provide. Elsewhere, our growing integration capability has led to organizational changes that combine our leading project and production management businesses to fuel growth through joint expertise and portfolio alignment.

The soft global economic picture has changed little since the first quarter. The U.S. has shown virtually no impact from the financial sequester, the Eurozone remains in recession, and data from China continue to be mixed. Given the lack of change, supply and demand for both oil and natural gas remain stable, which is also reflected in oil and gas prices. E&P spending, however, has been revised upwards making this year the fourth consecutive year of double-digit spending increases and pointing to the long-term nature of oil and gas developments.

As a result, we continue to see consistent growth as spending plans are confirmed by rig count outlooks and customer activity. We remain confident in the industry outlook, our strategic positioning in the markets in which we operate, the strength of our technology portfolio and in our ability to further improve our overall performance.”

Other Events

    During the quarter, Schlumberger repurchased 6.8 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $73.07 for a total purchase price of $500 million. This repurchase substantially completed the share repurchase program of $8 billion approved by the Board of Directors in April 2008. As of June 30, 2013, Schlumberger had repurchased over 105 million shares of common stock under the program for a total purchase price of $7.8 billion. The remaining balance of $187 million will be exhausted in the third quarter of 2013. On July 18, 2013, the Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program of $10 billion to be completed at the latest by June 30, 2018.
    On June 24, 2013, Cameron and Schlumberger announced that OneSubsea™, a joint venture to manufacture and develop products, systems and services for the subsea oil and gas market, had received all required regulatory approvals. The parties closed the transaction on June 30, 2013. Schlumberger recognized a $1.03 billion gain as a result of this transaction.

Oilfield Services

Second-quarter revenue of $11.18 billion was up 6% sequentially and increased 8% year-on-year, with International Area revenue of $7.70 billion growing $543 million, or 8% sequentially, while North America Area revenue of $3.36 billion increased $67 million, or 2% sequentially.

By segment, Reservoir Characterization Group revenue of $3.01 billion grew 10% sequentially while Drilling Group revenue of $4.29 billion increased 4%. These increases were due to seasonal rebounds, market share gains and higher exploration activity in both offshore and key international land markets, particularly for Wireline technologies. Other Technologies that gained significantly during the quarter were led by WesternGeco, Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS), Drilling & Measurements and M-I SWACO. Despite the seasonal decline in Western Canada as a result of the spring break-up, the Production Group posted a sequential increase of 4%. Improving industry utilization of pressure pumping capacity in US land, increasing Well Intervention coiled tubing activity worldwide, and strong international sales of Completions products contributed to growth.

Geographically, the Middle East & Asia Area led the sequential increase with revenue of $2.7 billion increasing 11%, mainly from a seasonal rebound of exploration and drilling activity in China and Japan, higher WesternGeco UniQ* land seismic productivity across the region, and continued growth across a diversified portfolio of projects and activities in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Improved WesternGeco marine vessel utilization and robust drilling activity in the Australasia GeoMarket also contributed to growth. Europe/CIS/Africa revenue of $3.1 billion increased 10% from higher WesternGeco multiclient sales ahead of licensing awards in Norway, and the seasonal pick-up of drilling and exploration activity in Russia and the North Sea. Sub-Saharan Africa revenue also grew sequentially through increased exploration activity in the Gulf of Guinea while activity in Angola was subdued due to project delays. Latin America revenue of $1.9 billion grew slightly as the effect of strong Integrated Project Management (IPM) activity in Argentina was largely offset by a decline in WesternGeco marine utilization following the planned transit of vessels out of Brazil. North America revenue of $3.36 billion increased 2%—with North America offshore revenue up due to robust Wireline deepwater activity and WesternGeco. US land posted double-digit growth, but this was offset by the seasonal decline in Western Canada following the spring break-up. While US land rig count grew only marginally, well and stage counts increased through drilling efficiency resulting in improved industry utilization of pressure pumping capacity.

Second-quarter pretax operating income of $2.28 billion was up 16% sequentially, and increased 12% year-on-year. International pretax operating income of $1.69 billion increased 18% sequentially, while North America pretax operating income of $662 million increased 6% sequentially.

Sequentially, pretax operating margin of 20.4% increased 178 basis points (bps), as International pretax operating margin expanded 202 bps to 22.0% Middle East & Asia posted a 178-bps sequential margin improvement to reach 24.6%, Europe/CIS/Africa increased by 275 bps to 20.6%, and Latin America improved by 107 bps to 20.6%. The expansion in International margins was due to seasonal activity rebounds combined with strong results in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East & Asia Area. Increased high-margin exploration, seismic and deepwater activities also helped boost international margins. Despite the effect of the seasonal spring break-up in Western Canada, North America pretax operating margin increased 65 bps sequentially to 19.7%. US land margin expanded on improving efficiency, better utilization and lower raw material costs in pressure pumping, while North America offshore margin increased due to robust Wireline deepwater activity and WesternGeco.

Sequentially by segment, Reservoir Characterization Group pretax operating margin expanded 380 bps to 30.1% due to the strong WesternGeco and Wireline results. The pretax operating margin of the Drilling Group increased 97 bps to 18.7% through improved Drilling & Measurements performance and increased profitability on IPM projects in the Middle East and Latin America. Production Group pretax operating margin increased 116 bps to 15.9% on improved profitability in Well Services as pressure pumping utilization and efficiency improved in US land.

A number of technology innovation and integration highlights contributed to second-quarter results.

Shell has awarded Schlumberger a five-year, multicountry integrated services contract for the drilling of oil and gas exploration wells on a recently commissioned deepwater rig operating in East, West and North Africa. The concept of using a highly mobile drilling rig for exploration in remote deepwater environments is enhanced by the integration of services over a reduced footprint, resulting in overall efficiency gains. In addition, the continuity of people and processes along with the application of lessons learned are key enablers for reducing operational risk and non-productive time.

In the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, a total of 11 Schlumberger oilfield services contracts have been extended over the next five years with BG Norge to cover both the development of the Knarr field as well as other activities on the continental shelf. The contracts include directional drilling, measurements and logging while drilling, mud logging, wireline logging, drilling fluids management, coiled tubing, well testing, perforating, completions and cementing services.

In the UAE, Wireline MicroPilot* single-well in situ enhanced EOR evaluation technology was introduced for Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Operations (ADCO) in a well to carry out downhole water and formation crude oil injection. MicroPilot technology provided valuable information on the rock properties governing oil and water movement in the reservoir. This information also helped to bridge the gap between the core and reservoir scales, allowing improved reservoir modeling.

Offshore Congo, Schlumberger technologies were deployed for ENI in the drilling and completion of a highly complex well in the Mwafi field. Drilling & Measurements PowerDrive Archer* high build-rate rotary steerable system technology with customized Smith drill bits were used to drill a challenging 3D well profile through the overburden. Well placement in the reservoir was performed in real time using Drilling & Measurements PeriScope* bed boundary mapper, adnVISION* azimuthal density neutron, and SonicScope* multipole sonic while drilling technologies. The well was drilled to total depth more than 20 days ahead of schedule and completed with a three-stage fracturing job using PropGUARD* fiber-based proppant flowback control technology and the Bourbon Herald Well Services stimulation vessel.

In Colombia, Well Intervention LIVE* digital slickline technology was deployed for Chevron on an onshore well abandonment campaign. The LIVE service provided both mechanical and real-time cased-hole services in a single unit to recover a well isolating plug, punch multiple tubings with Wireline PowerJet Omega* deep penetrating shaped charges, and run a clean chemical tubing cutter using Testing Services eFire* electronic firing head technology correlated in real time. The operational efficiency provided by this combination of Schlumberger technologies saved Chevron significant logistical costs and reduced total operating time from 27 planned days to 21 days.

During mid-2012, Liquid Robotics and Schlumberger created Liquid Robotics Oil & Gas, a joint venture to develop innovative services for the oil and gas industry using Wave Glider®, the world’s first wave-powered, autonomous marine vehicle. Recently, around the Wheatstone area of Northwest Australia, Wave Gliders equipped with metrology sensors including turbidity were deployed for Chevron to conduct reliable baseline surveys prior to the start of their upstream and downstream dredging operations. A total of 1,424 nautical miles were covered over a 60-day period. Additional time-lapse measurements will be taken during and after the operations to validate environmental compliance. As Wave Glider technology deployments continue to expand, offshore oil and gas operators continue building confidence in their ability to solve some of the industry’s exploration and environmental monitoring challenges.

In North America, Schlumberger pioneered the deployment of bi-fuel or dual fuel technology for the diesel engines used in hydraulic fracturing operations, having implemented the technology in Canada more than two years ago. Bi-fuel operations make it possible for a diesel engine to run on a blend of diesel and natural gas such as compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas or field gas. On land in the US, Schlumberger has multiple bi-fuel enabled crews deployed across the country as technology development continues with powerplant suppliers to implement optimized solutions for the North American market. Schlumberger completed its 600th job in June 2013 using bi-fuel technology, and its bi-fuel operations have helped decrease overall fuel costs by 25-40% while lowering environmental impact without compromising safety or engine performance.

Reservoir Characterization Group

Second-quarter revenue of $3.01 billion increased 10% sequentially and grew 11% year-on-year. Pretax operating income of $908 million was 25% higher sequentially, and increased 21% year-on-year. Sequentially, the revenue increase was driven primarily by increased use of Wireline services as a result of strong exploration activity in the US Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. Revenue in Russia and China also grew sequentially following seasonal activity rebounds. WesternGeco revenue increased sequentially from higher multiclient sales ahead of licensing awards in Norway, the seasonal return of marine vessel activity in the North Sea, and higher UniQ* land seismic productivity in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. SIS revenue increased also from higher product sales and software maintenance in Latin America and Europe/CIS/Africa.

Pretax operating margin of 30.1% increased 380 bps sequentially on strong, high-margin WesternGeco multiclient sales and robust Wireline deepwater activity.

A number of technology highlights across the Reservoir Characterization Group contributed to the second-quarter results.

In the North Sea, WesternGeco has begun acquisition of two complex 4D surveys for BP using DISCover* broadband deep interpolated streamer technology, the first time the technology has been used in the North Sea. The surveys, which cover approximately 740 km2 over the Magnus, Foinaven, Schiehallion, and Loyal fields, involve undershooting obstructions and considerable simultaneous operations.

WesternGeco has begun acquisition on the new Four Point 3D broadband multiclient survey in the DeSoto Canyon, Mississippi Canyon and Lloyd Ridge areas of the eastern US Gulf of Mexico. The narrow-azimuth survey covers approximately 400 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) blocks over 9,600 km2, and uses ObliQ* sliding-notch broadband technology to optimize the recorded bandwidth of the seismic signal. Data processing will include full waveform inversion and tilted transverse isotropic imaging.

WesternGeco has been awarded a contract by RWE Dea Norge AS for the acquisition of approximately 1,250 km2 of broadband seismic data over their new APA 2012 license in the Norwegian Sea. This will be the first third-party proprietary survey offshore Norway using the ObliQ sliding-notch broadband acquisition and imaging technique. Q-Marine Solid* streamers and Delta* calibrated marine broadband sources will also be used with the objective of enhancing resolution and improving the fault definition in the Tertiary, Cretaceous and Jurassic sections where existing data quality is poor.

WesternGeco has been awarded a multiyear contract by Shell Canada Limited for acquisition and processing of a 12,000-km2 3D wide-azimuth survey offshore Nova Scotia, the first wide-azimuth survey acquired offshore Canada and the largest seismic program in Nova Scotia history. The survey is over Shell’s new exploration licenses in the Shelburne basin, approximately 275 km south of Halifax, and will be conducted by the WG Magellan and WG Cook using Q-Marine Solid streamer technology and is supported by two dedicated source vessels Geco Tau and Ocean Odyssey. The survey commenced in June 2013, with further data to be acquired in 2014.

In the UK sector of the North Sea, Wireline Saturn* 3D Radial Probe technology was deployed for EnQuest to obtain high quality viscous oil samples in shallow unconsolidated formations. The larger flow area offered by the Saturn elliptical probe design also led to improvements in operational efficiency, enabling the operator to save up to 75% in fluid sampling time compared with conventional sampling methods.

In the US Gulf of Mexico, Wireline deployed the latest generation of reservoir fluid sampling technology for Shell to reduce uncertainty in the evaluation of a recent deepwater exploration success. The MDT* modular formation dynamic tester, configured with the InSitu Density* reservoir fluid density, InSitu Viscosity* reservoir fluid viscosity and InSitu Color* reservoir fluid color sensor measurements, was used to collect over 17 gallons of uncontaminated reservoir fluid. The relatively large, high quality fluid sample provided the customer with one of multiple assurances necessary to advance the project from exploration to development. Also, the variety of measurements made on the fluid during the sampling process reduced the lab analysis time for the project by approximately two weeks.

In Australia, Wireline Dielectric Scanner* multifrequency dielectric dispersion technology was used for ConocoPhillips for the first time to provide reliable water saturation measurements in a reservoir with complex mineralogy. The calculation of water saturation in this reservoir has been challenging due to the effects of the mineralogy on conventional resistivity measurements. Dielectric Scanner technology was able to provide irreducible water saturation in an oil-based mud environment independent of resistivity logs, core analysis data, and water salinity analysis, and helped the customer reduce uncertainty on critical reservoir parameters.

In Qatar, Wireline Sonic Scanner* acoustic scanning platform technology using a Borehole Acoustic Reflection Survey (BARS) was deployed for Total E&P Qatar to evaluate formations from the borehole through casing. The data acquired with this technology provided reliable imaging up to 100 ft away from the borehole, allowing integration of the images with 3D surface seismic. The ability of the BARS technique to evaluate formation features and reflectors behind casing enables improved well placement and optimized well completion in mature fields through the side-tracking, or redesign of existing wells.

In South Texas, Wireline ThruBit* logging services were deployed to workover a horizontal well after water production became excessive. A ThruBit memory tool, including density, porosity, sonic and resistivity sensors, was pumped through the workover tubing into the openhole completion. The resulting data indicated that the water production originated from a single set of fractures, which were subsequently plugged.

In North Dakota, Wireline Isolation Scanner* cement evaluation technology was deployed for Zenergy in the Bakken shale play. Due to its unique flexural attenuation measurements, the Isolation Scanner service was able to clearly image the lightweight cement behind the well casing, overcoming the challenges faced by conventional technologies. In addition, the Isolation Scanner tool measured 72 radial ultrasonic thicknesses to quantify drill wear, leading to significant savings for the operator in terms of costly fracturing strings and remedial squeezes.

In Russia, Surgutneftegas has purchased licenses for SIS Petrel* E&P, GeoFrame* reservoir characterization, ECLIPSE* reservoir simulation and Techlog* wellbore software platforms, together with a three-year maintenance agreement. Surgutneftegas has been using SIS software since 1995, and decided to further adopt the SIS software platforms in its newly created Geology & Geophysics and Reservoir Engineering divisions in order to increase efficiency in E&P decision making, improve reserves recovery management, and optimize well intervention.

Drilling Group

Second-quarter revenue of $4.29 billion was up 4% sequentially and grew 8% year-on-year. Pretax operating income of $804 million was 10% higher sequentially, and increased 11% year-on-year.

Sequentially, revenue increased primarily on strong international and offshore activity for Drilling & Measurements and M-I SWACO Technologies, mainly in Russia and the Middle East & Asia Area. In addition, both Drilling & Measurements and M-I SWACO posted strong results in US land on higher activity, which was largely offset by the effect of the seasonal spring break-up in Western Canada.

Sequentially, pretax operating margin grew 97 bps to 18.7% from increased land activity for Drilling & Measurements in the US, Russia and the Middle East, and improved profitability on IPM projects in the Middle East and Latin America.

A number of Drilling Group technologies contributed to the second-quarter results.

In China, Drilling & Measurements technologies were deployed for PetroChina Tarim Oilfield Company to drill 20 wells in previously unexploited reservoirs in the Hade Field in the country’s western region known for its complex geology and challenging drilling environment. A combination of PowerDrive Archer high build rate rotary steerable, NeoScope*† sourceless formation evaluation while drilling, PeriScope bed boundary mapper, and geoVISION* imaging-while-drilling technologies enabled the accurate placement of a well along thin target layers and avoided drilling into neighboring water zones. Despite the hard formation, the drilling technologies achieved the required build rate and increased both footage per run and rate of penetration. As a result, the overall drilling time from kickoff to total depth was reduced from 67 to 42 days. In addition, the average production tests for the first five wells drilled showed incremental production 50% above the operator’s target.

In Central China, in partnership with CNPC Chuanqing Drilling Engineering Company Limited, a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Schlumberger Drilling Group technologies were deployed on the Shell China Sichuan Project to drill pilot holes and horizontal wells in the Fushun shale gas block. Drilling & Measurements PowerDrive X6*, PowerDrive vorteX* and PowerDrive Archer rotary steerable technologies, combined with MicroScope* resistivity- and imaging-while-drilling and PeriScope bed boundary mapper technologies were used in drilling the curve and the horizontal sections. These integrated drilling services were enabled by ROPO* rate of penetration optimization and included Smith Spear* shale-optimized steel-body polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) drill bits and M-I SWACO WELL COMMANDER* by-pass circulating technologies. A total of three horizontal shale gas wells have been drilled and completed, with all of them achieving Shell’s Best-In-Class & Top Quartile drilling performance. The well lateral sections were placed entirely in the reservoir sweet spots and without geological sidetracks to save the operator more than 54 days.

In Russia, Smith drill bits set new records while drilling the vertical intervals of exploration wells for Wolgademinoil in the Avilovskoe field. In the 11 5/8-in section of one well, Smith steel body PDC bits with premium cutters increased rate of penetration (ROP) five-fold, and footage by 350%, compared to the best offset wells. In the same well, but in the 15 1/2-in section, ROP was doubled and the section completed in one run while the footage drilled increased by 130%.

In the Caspian Sea, Schlumberger Drilling & Measurements introduced the PowerDrive Xceed* rotary steerable system for LUKOIL-Nizhnevolzhskneft on an offshore extended reach drilling project in the Korchagina oilfield. PowerDrive Xceed technology enabled the efficient drilling of the world’s longest 9 1/2-in section and a corresponding saving of two days compared to the well construction plan.

In Angola, Drilling & Measurements technologies were deployed for Cabinda Gulf Oil Company to evaluate a development well in a deepwater channelized reservoir system. StethoScope* formation pressure-while-drilling and EcoScope*† multifunction logging-while-drilling technologies were used for petrophysical data evaluation and to assess reservoir depletion magnitude and connectivity. The combination of petrophysical data, azimuthal density images and mud log data, led to the identification of an additional 30 ft of low resistivity pay which enabled the operator to deepen the overall completion and increase the perforated interval. In addition to increasing the reserves, the Drilling & Measurements technologies provided operational efficiency through higher data acquisition rates, which led to a significant reduction of non-productive time and a cost saving to the operator of approximately 60 hours of rig time.

In South Mexico, Schlumberger IPM and Drilling Group Technologies introduced the TURBODRILLING application for Pemex on high-compressibility rock formations. The combination of Drilling Tools & Remedial Neyfor* turbodrilling systems with customized Smith hybrid and impregnated bits was able to drill effectively and build angle on a well interval consisting mainly of compressible mudstone with up to 40% abrasive chert nodules. The well interval was drilled in less than 211 hours at an average rate of penetration close to 7 ft/hr, saving Pemex approximately 96 drilling hours compared with conventional drilling systems.

In Colombia, the Schlumberger Drilling Group Petrotechnical Engineering Center provided well placement services and proprietary workflows on a horizontal well with complex lithology in the Apiay field for Ecopetrol. The integrated solution included use of PERFORMView* real-time drilling visualization, collaboration, and analysis software. The well was drilled and placed as planned, without sidetracks or lost-in-hole events.

In Alberta, Canada, Schlumberger Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) services were used for Shell to reduce well drilling times in the Duvernay unconventional gas play. The horizontal sections of these wells have narrow pressure windows and extend to lengths beyond 7,000 ft. In order to overcome these challenges, the application of engineered MPD as part of a larger set of improvements to well design has helped Shell improve drilling rates by up to 124%.

In Brazil, the M-I SWACO DRILPLEX* mixed-metal-oxide water-based drilling fluid system was used for HRT Oil & Gas to mitigate the severe loss of circulation encountered while drilling the first onshore wells in the Solimões basin. The DRILPLEX system was effective in minimizing washouts and fluid losses to the formation, which helped optimize hole cleaning. As a result, the drilling time for the challenging interval was reduced from 6-8 days to 1.8 days, and the cost reduced by 45% compared with prior offset wells drilled with traditional fluids.

In Brazil, M-I SWACO MD-3 shaker technology was used by Diamond Offshore Brasdril on the deepwater semi-submersible Ocean Star. The MD-3 composite screen design and optimized screening allowed a considerably higher flow rate, an increased rate of penetration, and reduced drilling fluid cost through solids removal and lower dilution rates. Overall savings exceeding $13 million were realized in one single well.

Production Group

Second-quarter revenue of $3.93 billion increased 4% sequentially, and grew 6% year-on-year. Pretax operating income of $625 million was 13% higher sequentially and increased 4% year-on-year. Despite the seasonal decline in Western Canada as a result of the spring break-up, the Group posted overall sequential growth due to improving industry utilization of pressure pumping capacity in US land, increasing Well Intervention global coiled tubing activity, and strong international sales of Completions products. While US land rig count grew only marginally, well and stage counts increased through drilling efficiency, resulting in improved industry utilization of pressure pumping capacity. Although pricing remained competitive, the pace of decline has moderated sequentially.

Pretax operating margin of 15.9% increased 116 bps sequentially but declined 23 bps year-on-year. Sequentially, margin expanded primarily on improved profitability for Well Services technologies as the result of improving efficiency, better utilization and lower raw material costs in pressure pumping in US land despite competitive pricing. In addition, Completions and Well Intervention Technologies posted improved international profitability.

Highlights during the quarter included successes for a number of Production Group Technologies.

Saudi Aramco has awarded Schlumberger Completions, for the first time, a five-plus-two-year, contract for the supply of the products and services associated with well completion activities in Saudi Arabia. This is the first contract concluded under the 10-year corporate procurement agreement recently signed by both companies and establishes the framework for future contracts under this master agreement. The award was based on the proven Schlumberger track record in product and service quality performance, on-time delivery and national content contribution.

In Saudi Arabia, Well Intervention LIVE digital slickline technology, utilizing a proprietary coating on a conventional slickline wire core to enable telemetry, was used for Saudi Aramco to perform remedial operations on wells in the Hyra field. The LIVE cable, due to its slickline core, allowed jarring action if required to avoid sticking with a junk basket drift run. An electrohydraulic setting tool was then used, without the need for explosives, to set the plugs away from collars with real-time gamma-ray correlation. The deployment of the logging tools on top of the mechanical tools made it possible to drift the well and correlate marking of the tubing conveyed perforation operation simultaneously. The overall efficiency of the LIVE truck and crew enabled a reduction in the number of people on location and simplified logistics.

In Mexico, Well Intervention LIVE digital slickline technology was deployed for Pemex on a well in the offshore Ku-Maloob-Zaap field. The LIVE technology provided real-time cased-hole services combined with mechanical services capability in a single field unit, with only one rig-up required to condition the well, run pressure and temperature gauges, and deploy a tubing puncher using a Testing Services eFire electronic firing head system correlated in real time. The efficiency of the LIVE system in a very limited offshore production platform footprint helped Pemex increase well production while avoiding the need for a costly workover rig.

In Russia, PetroStim, a Schlumberger joint venture, conducted a trial refracturing campaign with Well Services HiWAY* flow-channel technology for Slavneft-Megionneftegas in the mature Vatinskoe oilfield. The majority of producing wells in the field have been hydraulically fractured at least once in the past, and conventional re-stimulation techniques have not proved effective in this field. However, the production results of the first HiWAY treatments in the Jurassic sandstone reservoirs almost doubled expectations and broadened applications of the technology in mature fields as a proven solution to increase oil recovery.

In Russia, a Schlumberger Completions RapidX* Level 5 multilateral completions system was installed in a well for Exxon Neftegas Limited offshore Sakhalin Island. This was the first multilateral well completed in Sakhalin and the first Technology Advancement for Multilaterals (TAML) Level 5 junction installed offshore in Russia. The RapidX system allows the operator to access new sections of the reservoir by reentering existing wellbores and adding additional laterals to increase overall recovery.

In Kuwait, Schlumberger Well Intervention performed a water shutoff intervention campaign for Joint Operations Wafra in openhole horizontal wells using CoilFLATE* coiled tubing through-tubing inflatable packer and ACTive* in-well live performance technologies to accurately define the downhole conditions needed for controlled packer seating and inflation. The use of these technologies led to a significant decrease in water production.

Offshore Egypt, Well Intervention deployed ACTive live downhole coiled tubing technology for Raspetco to stimulate a subsea gas well in the Sapphire field, which was suffering from fines that had migrated and accumulated near the wellbore to reduce production. ACTive technology enabled the controlled placement of Well Services OCA* organic clay fluid in the live subsea well by monitoring the fluid level and optimizing the nitrogen pumped through the coiled tubing annulus. ACTive distributed temperature sensing, acquired while the well was flowing, delivered a quantitative production log of the producing zones. As a result of this intervention, the well’s gas production was tripled.

In Brunei, Schlumberger Sand Management Services deployed OptiPac* Alternate Path‡ systems incorporating several customizations for Shell Petroleum (BSP) on uphill trajectory (fish-hook) wells drilled from land to exploit unconsolidated reservoirs located in shallow water offshore. In order to overcome the limitations associated with traditional gravel pack completions, OptiPac technology including customized shunted swell packers, quasi blanks and diverter valves was applied in seven high angle wells to date with positive results. In February, 2013 Schlumberger Sand Management Services set a world record by completing the longest gravel pack in a fish-hook well, using OptiPac technology with 578 m of screens installed.

Schlumberger Completions has been awarded several contracts by Petrobras for the provision of TRC-II* tubing-retrievable charged safety valves. The contracts mark an unprecedented total of 108 subsurface safety valves awarded for the extremely challenging Brazil deepwater and ultra-deepwater environments.

In Oman, Schlumberger Artificial Lift has been awarded a performance-based contract worth approximately $40 million by Daleel Petroleum Company to supply, install, commission, and manage about 200 electric submersible pump systems. The five-year contract, with an option for a two-year extension, includes the provision of REDA Maximus* electric submersible pump technology, XT150 gauges, and a total of 18 pulse drive systems.

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Contacts
Schlumberger Limited
Malcolm Theobald, +1 (713) 375-3535
Vice President of Investor Relations



Joy V. Domingo, +1 (713) 375-3535
Schlumberger Limited, Manager of Investor Relations
investor-relations@slb.com







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