Rubis has received spontaneous offers from several industrial operators for the takeover of its LPG business in Italy.
It has been decided to hold exclusive talks with one of these operators. It is impossible to say whether these discussions will lead to an agreement, since this sale is not one of the Group’s strategic aims.
Nevertheless if the sale does materialize, it would have no real effect on the equity capital, greatly strengthened by the acquisition of SAGF (to take place on 30 November 2005) and the 34% stake in Vitogaz (cf. press releases on 27 April and 8 September 2005).
Income from the sale would primarily be used to finance new developments within the Group, particularly in Northern Europe in its liquid storage business.
In this connection, Rubis announces that a concession has just been signed with the Port of Rotterdam for a site of over 7 hectares that will ultimately allow an 80,000 m3 chemicals terminal to be constructed. This project complements the already announced project for a terminal at the Port of Antwerp. On completion of these two projects, Rubis will be one of the only terminal operators offering storage in these two main European ports.
The possible sale of its businesses in Italy has no effect on the planned free allotment of stock warrants that has been announced and that will be used in part to refinance the 2005 acquisitions.
NB: turnover for the period to 30 September 2005 = + 27.9%
Details online at: www.rubis.fr
RUBIS is listed on the Euronext Paris (Compartment B) market
ISIN Code FR0000121253
www.rubis.fr
www.rubis-terminal.com
www.vitogaz.com
INTERNATIONAL OPERATOR SPECIALIZED IN THE DOWNSTREAM PETROLEUM SECTOR