Rompetrol Group Profit Increases by 35%

The Rompetrol Group NV (TRG) posted a turnover of 2.79 billion USD in the first half of 2007, recording a 3% increase from 2.71 billion USD in the same period last year. EBITDA amounted to 115 million USD, up 83% from 63 million USD in the first half of 2006. The group"s net profit rose by 35% to 21 million USD, from 16 million USD in H1 2006.

In the second quarter of the year, the group posted a turnover of 1.55 billion USD, up by 12% from 1.38 billion USD last year. EDITDA rose by 35% to 74 million USD, from 55 million USD in the year-ago quarter.The Rompetrol Group expects net profit to top 10 billion USD in 2010.

Rompetrol Rafinare posted a consolidated turnover of 1.38 billion USD in the first half of 2007, thus marking a 19% increase from 1.15 billion USD in the same period last year. EBITDA advanced by 72% to 86 million USD from 50 million USD in H1 2006. The refinery"s net profit amounted to 13 million USD in the first six months. In the second quarter, Rompetrol Rafinare posted a turnover of 720 million USD, up 10% from 654 million USD in Q2 2006. EBITDA advanced by 21% to 58 million USD, compared with 48 million USD in the same period last year.

The financial results are preliminary, unaudited and in accordance with IFRS standards.

The Rompetrol Group N.V. is a top 25 multinational oil company within the European Union, by revenues. Headquartered in The Netherlands, TRG has the majority of its assets and operations based in France, Romania, Spain and South-East Europe. The group is active primarily in refining, trading and marketing/downstream, with additional operations in exploration and production, and other oil industry services. TRG has a staff of more than 8,000 employees in 13 countries.