Press Release

Motiva Enterprises Announces Railyard Expansion at Sewaren Terminal

06/11/2006

Enhances Position as Leading Ethanol Hub of Northeast

Motiva Enterprises LLC (Motiva) today announced plans to expand the railyard at Motiva’s Sewaren, New Jersey refined products terminal.  The proposed expansion will enable Motiva to deliver ethanol into the New York Harbor marketplace more efficiently by increasing the terminal’s railcar handling capacity.  Ethanol is a gasoline octane enhancer that enables gasoline to burn more cleanly and reduce exhaust emissions of motor vehicles.
 
"Motiva’s Sewaren Terminal is a 5,000,000+ barrel refined products terminal that is strategically located to serve ethanol suppliers and consumers in the northeast," stated Ralph Otis, manager of the Sewaren Terminal.  "The expansion of the rail facilities is needed to handle the growing demand for ethanol.  Additionally, the expanded railyard will be capable of handling two entire 80-100 railcar unit trains daily, the preferred method of transportation of ethanol suppliers and rail carriers."

When the expansion is complete, an entire train of 80-100 tankcars of ethanol will be able to enter the Motiva railyard and be unloaded.  Currently, ethanol tankcars are typically combined with other cargo-carrying railcars being hauled by the railroads and must be un-coupled outside the Motiva property before entering Motiva’s railyard facility. 

"Motiva is a proven industry leader in the area of ethanol logistics in the northeast," stated John Kraemer, Group Vice President, Agriculture Marketing of Norfolk Southern Railroad.  "We are pleased to grow and serve the ethanol industry at the Sewaren facility."

Necessary permits and approvals will be sought from the local planning board.  Motiva is working to complete the railyard expansion project in 2007.  Costs are not being disclosed.

In keeping with its history of working diligently to be a good corporate neighbor, Motiva will continue to communicate with township officials and community representatives throughout the project.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Motiva Enterprises LLC is a refining and marketing joint venture owned by affiliates of Shell and Saudi Aramco.  Motiva’s marketing operations support a network of nearly 9,000 Shell-branded gasoline stations in the eastern and southern United States.  Company assets include three refineries located in Norco, Louisiana; Convent, Louisiana, and Port Arthur, Texas, capable of refining approximately 740,000 barrels per day, and ownership or partial interests in 42 product terminals.

Media Contact: Stan Mays, 713-241-4544