On 4th August 2008, UNIPETROL, a.s. ("UNIPETROL") announced that it would shut down its ethylene unit in Litvinov for 21 days in October 2008 (see Reg. Announc. No. 020/2008). The reason for the shutdown, simplifying somewhat, was the repair of the turbine that drives the ethylene cooling compressor. The diffusers of this turbine were damaged, which prevented the turbine from running at its full capacity.

For further technological reasons on the ethylene unit, the production of the injection types of high density polyethylene (HDPE) had been interrupted. Execution of this repair was also planned for the October shut down.

The shut down took place from 6th October to 1st November 2008 (i.e. 25 days), and all the repairs were completed successfully. The total impact of the shut down on the 4th quarter 2008 operating result (EBIT) of UNIPETROL has been assessed in the amount of CZK -229m. The total impact is in line with the shut down plan, and includes both lost margin and maintenance costs.

In Prague on 10th December 2008

Reg. Announcement No. 027/2008