Ferus deploys first LNG powered tractor in Alberta

CALGARY, March 15, 2012 /CNW/ - Ferus Inc. is pleased to announce that it has put into service the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered heavy-duty tractor in the province of Alberta.  This unit will operate exclusively in the oilfield services sector of Alberta's energy industry transporting liquid nitrogen to energy industry customers in the central Alberta corridor.

"At Ferus, we pride ourselves on being innovators of new technology", said Richard Brown, President & CEO of Ferus.  "With lower emissions, substantial cost savings and an abundance of local supply, we believe that natural gas is the future of transportation fuel in North America and we are excited to be on the leading edge of this conversion".

Tractor units such as the one being used by Ferus, store natural gas in liquid form in specialized LNG fuel tanks where the product is ultimately converted back into a gaseous state for combustion in the engine's cylinders.  With a range in excess of 700 km, these 475 horsepower Class 8 units can adequately support the need to haul products to energy industry customers throughout the province, a market traditionally serviced by conventional diesel tractors.  The benefits of converting to LNG as a primary transportation fuel are numerous including: significantly reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and particulate matter, substantial fuel cost savings compared to diesel and support for the North American natural gas industry with its abundant supply of clean-burning, environmentally friendly natural gas.

Ferus intends to add additional units to its operations in the coming months with the ultimate goal of converting its entire transportation fleet to run on natural gas.

ABOUT FERUS

Ferus Inc., owned by the Energy & Minerals Group, is a privately-held Canadian company providing integrated solutions to the energy industry for well stimulation, well completions and enhanced oil recovery applications. Ferus provides a dedicated supply of cryogenic fluids, as well as the related logistical services to deliver those products to its customers in the energy industry.   Ferus' primary product and service lines include liquid carbon dioxide, liquid nitrogen, transportation, storage, logistics and on-site services. Ferus currently owns and operates eight cryogenic plants, which are strategically located throughout the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, north-eastern U.S. and U.S. Rockies, as well as a fleet of over 300 transportation and storage assets that are specifically designed for oilfield operations.

ABOUT THE ENERGY & MINERALS GROUP

The Energy & Minerals Group is the management company for a series of private equity funds totaling in excess of $3.3 billion of commitments.  EMG focuses exclusively on making direct investments across the natural resources industry in conjunction with experienced management teams focused on hard assets that are integral to existing and growing markets.

on EMG, please contact John Raymond at 713-579-5000.

Richard Brown, President & C.E.O.
Ferus Inc.
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E-mail: [email protected]

or

Joe Ladouceur
V.P. External Affairs & Treasurer
Ferus Inc.
Telephone: [phone]
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www.ferus.ca