(19)

(11)

EP 1 169 431 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 22.02.2001 (43) Date of publication: 09.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/02 (21) Application number: 00926874.9 (22) Date of filing: 10.04.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 1/00 (86) International application number: PCT/EP0003/254 (87) International publication number: WO 0063/343 (26.10.2000 Gazette 2000/43)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 14.04.1999 US 292037 12.11.1999 US 438595 12.11.1999 US 439905 12.11.1999 US 439977 12.11.1999 US 439887 (71) Applicant: SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V. 2596 HR Den Haag (NL)	(72) Inventor: SALANITRO, Joseph, Patrick Houston, TX 77084 (US)