OREANDA-NEWS. March 29, 2012. Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo / Paid in Capital: 107.2 bn JPY / President: Yaichi Kimura) express our sincere apologies on the concerns and inconveniences caused to the local residents and to all those whom have been affected by the fire/explosion at Chiba Refinery on March 11, 2011.

This is to report that the #2 Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) (Distillation Capacity: 120,000 barrels/day) have resumed operations today, following the receipt of the already reported "Safety Inspection Certificate" on March 23.

With the start-up of the #2 CDU, Chiba Refinery has now restored its function as a refinery and is capable of producing petroleum products from crude oil.

We will continue to make the utmost efforts for stable supply with safety being the highest priority. Preparations for the start-up of other units including the #1 Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) (Distillation Capacity: 100,000 barrels/day) will begin as the safety measures and inspections become complete.