Petrofac issues Interim Management Statement for Q3 2008

As noted in the Interim Results announcement released on 27 August 2008, demand for the group's services remains robust with a continuing positive outlook for new project awards. Trading performance for the year to date has been in line with our expectations and cash balances at the end of September were in excess of $650m.

Subsequent to the Interim Results announcement, the Engineering & Construction division announced the establishment of Petrofac Emirates, a joint venture with Mubadala Petroleum Services Company LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company. Petrofac Emirates will be based in Abu Dhabi and will provide a full range of engineering, design, procurement and construction services for onshore oil & gas, refining and petrochemical projects throughout the United Arab Emirates.

Following the acquisition of Eclipse Production Technology Limited in July, the Operations Services division acquired Caltec Limited, a production technology specialist in late August. These acquisitions complement the division's well operations management business, SPD Group, acquired in January 2007, and further broaden the division's capability, which now extends from the management of surface facilities and well operations, to the ability to deliver solutions to enhance and improve production, particularly in mature fields.

The Energy Developments division continues to make good progress with the development of the West Don and Don Southwest fields in the UK North Sea, with modifications to the Northern Producer floating production facility, subsea infrastructure development and the recently commenced drilling programme progressing on budget and on schedule for first oil in the first half of 2009. The Chergui gas plant in Tunisia, which commenced commercial production of gas in early August, is now operating at close to full capacity.

The group's backlog at the end of September was approximately $4.3bn (30 June 2008: $4.8bn), comprising approximately $2.3bn from the Engineering & Construction division (30 June 2008: $2.7bn) and approximately $2.0bn from the Operations Services division (30 June 2008: $2.1bn). The group's financial position has not changed significantly from 30 June 2008, with the group's balance sheet remaining strong.