SURGUTNEFTEGAS RANKS AMONG THE MOST SOCIALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE COMPANIES IN 2006

        The Independent Environmental Rating Agency (ANO “NERA”) established by the International Social and Ecological Union has evaluated and rated the largest companies of Russia according to their environmental and social activities for the last five years. In 2004, the agency prepared ratings of only 75 companies including their 500 subsidiaries, compared to 2006, when already 110 companies and their 700 subsidiaries were ranked and included in Top 100 list.  

        According to 2006 performance results, Surgutneftegas was included in the rating list as one of the most socially and environmentally responsible companies.  

         To estimate the Company’s environmental impact profile, the agency used the historical data (reported annually since 2000) disclosed by OJSC “Surgutneftegas” and government statistics including natural resources utilization rate, water and air pollution levels, wastes and disturbed areas data.

         Due to its high environmental efficiency and transparency, Surgutneftegas shares are included in the environmental indices NERAX Eco-1 and NERAX Eco-2.

         Lyubov’ Malyshkina, Head of Environmental Security and Management Division of OJSC “Surgutneftegas”, believes that ranking companies against environmental criteria is quite an effective instrument to assess business efficiency, as higher environmental performance level showcases company’s true efforts towards upgrading its production level and improving environment in areas of its operation.

         “The world’s best practice shows that such ratings stimulate the process of environmental management optimization and negative impacts mitigation not only within an individual economic entity, but also nationwide. We are also well aware of successfully employed ratings of national sustainability development.

         Nonetheless, we should further update the environmental hazards criteria as well as introduce a series of ratings able to cover a wide variety of industry- and area specific activities”.

Press Service of OJSC “Surgutneftegas”

Tel.: (3462) 40 16 60, 40 10 07

Tel./fax: (3462) 40 10 18.

January 18, 2008