Published February 21, 2012

OMV Petrom allocates EUR 1.2 million for the strengthening of national emergency response capabilities

Partnership with the Ministry of Administration and Interior (MAI) aimed at strengthening Romania’s emergency response capabilities
EUR 1.2 million (RON 5 million) to be allocated for the logistic and technical endowment of emergency response services
The total contribution allocated by Petrom for emergency response over the past 5 years amounts to EUR 2.84 million

Bucharest, February 21st 2012 – OMV Petrom announces the allocation of EUR 1.2 million (RON 5 million) to support central authorities in managing emergency situations in a sustainable manner. The sum is intended for the purchasing of emergency intervention equipment and machineries. The sum allocated by OMV Petrom will contribute to the improvement of the specific logistics regarding the activities developed by the competent authorities and entities ‐ such as the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU), including The Mobile Service for Emergency, SMURD ‐ in view of an adequate management of emergency situations. The initiative is part of the company’s social responsibility platform "Access to Life" and it benefits the communities affected by emergency situations.

Gabriel Berca, Minister of Administration and Interior: "The fact that the business environment is involved in supporting the authorities is very important and it is our duty, together, to be close to the Romanian people. Any support given to the improvement of the services that we ensure our citizens, either from the state sector or the private environment, is welcome. The specific intervention equipment of the military that intervene in emergency situations is undersized and many types of equipment must be replaced. In this context, this contribution, which will be found in the equipments of IGSU’s endowment, will help us save lives and act quicker and more effective in emergency situations."

Alexandru Nazare, Minister of Transportation: "The severe weather conditions from the last weeks showed us that we must strengthen the intervention capacity for clearing the snow off the rail roads. I am glad that, besides our efforts to obtain European funding, we are also benefiting from the involvement of private companies, through this partnership. The railroad transportation is essential for the companies in the oil industry and this is why our first priority was to restore the normal parameters of strategic routes."

Mariana Gheorghe, CEO OMV Petrom: "We are the largest company in Romania, a stable company that plays a major role in the Romanian economy, so we believe in our partnership with the society. It is within this spirit that we support the authorities in generating long‐term solutions. We believe Romania should strengthen its emergency response capabilities and we have therefore decided to allocate EUR 1.2 million for the necessary endowment of the intervention teams. OMV Petrom has always responded in such difficult situations. Over the past 5 years, we contributed with over EUR 1.6 million to offer a decent life to the people affected by disasters, but also to provide Romanians with access to quality emergency medical services. This new initiative will help the authorities to respond quickly and efficiently in cases of emergency (such as natural calamities) and save as many lives as possible".

The scope of OMV Petrom’s contribution
The initiatives consist in the endowment of IGSU with special intervention vehicles suitable for difficult conditions, mobile intervention logistics units, protection equipment for intervention teams, as well as the purchasing of a snow clearing equipment for the railways infrastructure.

All these endowments will help the authorities manage difficult situations such as those caused by the recent weather conditions, as well as other extreme situations: massive snowfalls, fires, floods etc., supporting, thus, the sustained efforts regarding the defense of population’s life and health affected by emergency situations.

In order to ensure the transparency of the procurement process, a supervisory committee will be formed, consisting of representatives from OMV Petrom, IGSU and specialists of SMURD Foundation.

Colonel Marcel Lucaciu, Chief Inspector of the IGSU, explains the benefits for the Romanian communities and IGSU crews across the country:

"The public commitment coming to support the national management system of emergency situations OMV Petrom is making today is not only a long‐term solution for emergency response, but also an undertaking which will bring to the 28,000 IGSU employees more confidence in the institution’s capacity to respond quickly, precisely and efficiently in order to save human lives in difficultly accessible areas and in harsh conditions – during frost, snow, storm, flood and any other calamity. The logistic and technical equipment offered within this partnership with OMV Petrom will definitely improve the central emergency response management on the long term".

OMV Petrom's contribution to emergency response actions during 2007 – 2011 amounts to EUR 1.64 million
As part of its social responsibility strategy, OMV Petrom has constantly supported emergency response initiatives both by specific contributions and by helping upgrade the emergency medical system. The financial support granted by the company during 2007 – 2011 amounts to EUR 1.64 million over the past 5 years, targeting the following actions:

Rehabilitation of 176 houses for 630 persons from the communities affected by floods in the counties of Bacau and Neamt, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
Drilling of 3 deep water wells for 9,000 Romanians in the southern part of the country, in partnership with the Red Cross.
Expansion of the national emergency telemedicine network to 56 medical units in 19 counties. Over 9.5 million Romanians currently benefit from access to quality emergency medical services.
Sponsorship with 3 ambulances to SMURD Foundation.
Education programs on the prevention of emergency situations.

OMV Petrom
OMV Petrom is the largest oil and gas group in Southeastern Europe, with activities in the business segments of Exploration and Production, Refining and Marketing as well as Gas and Power. The Group consolidated its position on the oil market in Southeastern Europe following a far‐reaching modernization and efficiency increase process whereas investments accounted for more than EUR 6.6 bn during the last six years.

In Romania and Kazakhstan, the Group exploits proved oil and gas reserves of approximately 832 mn boe (in Romania 805 mn boe) and has a maximum annual refining capacity of 4.5 mn tons.

OMV Petrom is present in the distribution market for oil products in Romania, Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria and Serbia through a network of approximately 800 filling stations, operated under two brands, Petrom and OMV. In Romania, this activity is performed through OMV Petrom Marketing, 100% owned by OMV Petrom.

For its sustainable development, OMV Petrom has expanded the gas value chain into power. In this context, OMV Petrom is developing a 860 MW gas fired power plant project at Brazi and began commercial operations at the Dorobantu 45 MW wind park.

In 2010, the Group’s turnover was EUR 4,421 mn, EBIT was EUR 709 mn.

OMV, one of Austria’s largest listed industrial companies holds a 51.01% share in OMV Petrom. In Exploration and Production, OMV is active in two core countries Romania and Austria and holds a balanced international portfolio. In Gas and Power, OMV sold approximately 18 bcm of gas in 2010. In Refining and Marketing, OMV has an annual refining capacity of 22.3 mn t and as of the end of June 2011 approximately 4,700 filling stations in 13 countries including Turkey.

The Ministry of Economy holds 20.64% of OMV Petrom shares, the Property Fund SA holds 20.11%, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 2.03% and 6.21% is free float on the Bucharest Stock Exchange.