Premier Scandinavian Research Organization, SINTEF, Selects MTS Test Systems for Oil and Gas Research

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., June 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- MTS Systems Corporation (NASDAQ: MTSC), a leading global supplier of high-performance test systems and position sensors, today announced the receipt of a custom rock mechanics test system order from SINTEF to test the mechanical behavior of rock and rock masses.  SINTEF is the largest independent contract research organization in Scandinavia.  Founded in 1950, SINTEF is known for highly technical, multidisciplinary scientific research supporting both Norwegian and international companies.

The custom designed rock mechanics test system will provide SINTEF with unique capability to analyze the physical characteristics of both on- and off-shore petroleum reservoir rock formations in oil and gas industry operations, including wellbore stability, solids production, and hydraulic fracturing (fracking).  Understanding existing well and rock formation properties is critical as the world's energy producers explore deeper and more challenging reserves, both offshore and on land.  Accurately predicting the stability of the surrounding rock prior to drilling can save millions of dollars and prevent damage to the environment.  Through SINTEF's research, oil and gas producers will be better able to predict the future production capacity of a well, optimize well design and integrity, and mitigate potential threats to production operations, such as excessive sand production which can cause undue equipment wear and slow production.

"Many of the world's remaining oil and gas reserves are not easily accessible so exploration is vital to understanding the potential of these resources," said Dr. Michael Jost, Senior Vice President and General Manager of MTS Test.  "Replicating the intense pressure, temperature and stress conditions found deep under the earth's surface requires unique testing solutions.  Modern offshore wells are reaching depths approaching 10,000 meters, or more than six miles, and temperatures exceeding 200 degrees Celsius, or around 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  MTS has a long history of providing rock mechanics testing solutions for oil and gas research and development to replicate these extreme conditions."

According to long-time customer, Jorn Stenebraten, Research Manager of SINTEF, "The competitive pressures are intense to explore and extract natural fuels from below the earth's surface.  With this new system from MTS, SINTEF will be able to further the research to better understand the characteristics of various rock materials and provide better solutions that are safer for the environment."

"We are proud to collaborate with SINTEF and other leading technical researchers to address the global demands for energy while minimizing the environmental impacts," stated Dr. Jeffrey Graves, MTS President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Our innovative technology enables our customers to accurately test and understand the extraction and environmental conditions."

About MTS Systems Corporation
MTS Systems Corporation's testing hardware and software solutions help customers accelerate and improve their design, development, and manufacturing processes and are used for determining the mechanical behavior of materials, products, and structures.  MTS' high-performance position sensors provide controls for a variety of industrial and vehicular applications.  MTS had 2,299 employees at September 28, 2013 and revenue of $569 million for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2013.  Additional information on MTS can be found at http://www.mts.com.

About SINTEF
SINTEF is the largest independent research organization in Scandinavia.  We create value through knowledge generation, research and innovation, and develop technological solutions that are brought into practical use.  SINTEF is a non-commercial organization, and the profits of our contract research projects are invested in new research, scientific equipment and competence development.  Additional information on SINTEF can be found at http://sintef.no.

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SOURCE MTS Systems Corporation