MEDIA RELEASE
26 June 2006

SAPREF geared up for planned maintenance shutdown

SAPREF started a major maintenance shutdown at the Prospecton refinery this week following two years of forward planning. The shutdown will extend over eight weeks, from 26 June to 26 August for normal maintenance work on a number of units. At the same time the refinery will take the opportunity to do some project work to improve the reliability of certain equipment.

While the shutdown is a legal requirement for some of the key units in terms of the OSH Act, it also allows the company to be proactive in inspecting other equipment and carrying out maintenance if necessary.

The full cost of all activities will be about R250 million.

Up to 2000 contract workers will be working on site during the shutdown period and health, safety and environment performance will be the main focus area. Contract workers will undergo up to three levels of HSE induction before coming on site. Each person will also be medically tested, and many will go through a competency assessment programme.
SAPREF abides to it’s policy to provide employment opportunities for local residents and 69% of the workforce in the 2006 shutdown is from South Durban communities.

It will be necessary to flare from time to time during this period. Although flaring is not a regular practice at SAPREF, the flare allows the safe burning of excess vapours during upset conditions and when shutting down or starting up units

Two main mechanical contractors companies will be involved, both of them are black economic empowerment companies.

SAPREF has a major shutdown of this magnitude every two years.
For further information please contact:

Prudence Mbatha
Communications Officer
SAPREF
Tel: (031) 480 1303
Fax: (031) 468 1111
Email: mbathap@sapref.com