Through the International Cooperation Center, Cosmo Oil strives to maintain and develop good relationships via technology exchanges with oil-producing and developing nations utilizing public training service systems offered by the Japan Cooperation Center, Petroleum (JCCP) and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

In fiscal 2006, we exchanged technologies with 22 organizations (national oil refining companies and petroleum-related research centers) in 13 countries, mainly such Middle Eastern countries as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as China and other Asian countries. We received 155 trainees from overseas countries for training in Japan. The Cosmo Oil Group also dispatched 58 of our engineers to overseas countries as we strengthened our relationships for carrying out technology exchanges locally while also building human-resource networks in developing and oil-producing countries. In programs under the direct control of JCCP, we accepted and provided training at Cosmo Oil refineries and at the Research & Development Center for a total of 128 trainees from overseas countries. Regarding trends in training themes, there has been a shift away from demand for training in refining technology, production and quality control, and facility maintenance and rising demand for training related to technologies for preserving the environment and conserving energy.

Training for Iraqi Engineers Corresponding to JETRO's Oil-Producing Country Training Programs

As part of activities for supporting reconstruction that covers oil facilities, Cosmo Oil has provided training on a commissioned basis in Japan for Iraqi engineers solicited by JETRO in accordance with a 2004 bilateral joint communique between the governments of Iraq and Japan. During a one-month period from September to October 2006, Cosmo Oil received 20 engineers from oil refineries owned by the Iraqi Oil Ministry and provided training on practical environmental protection technologies and methods based on the theme of oil refinery environmental protection technology management.

Track records of domestic and overseas training

Aid and Support for Overseas Plant Construction and Operation

We collaborate with JGC Corporation, Chiyoda Corporation and other engineering companies for private-sector cooperative ventures in oil-producing countries. Our track record of over 20 years of providing construction assistance and operational support for plant facilities has earned Cosmo Oil's technology high praise from partner countries. One recent example is the support and other measures we have provided for constructing and operating the Sohar Refinery in Oman that commenced operation in August 2006.

Efforts to Create a Foundation for the Oil Industry in Oil-Producing Countries

With funding assistance from the JCCP, we are involved in such activities as dispatching specialists to oil-producing countries, accepting trainees to Japan, and providing technological cooperation for a variety of project feasibility studies. In fiscal 2006, we conducted an environmental preservation and operations optimization survey at the Bandar Abbas Refinery for the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC). The proposal for environmental improvements we submitted to JCCP was also highly regarded by NIORDC, leading to a planned feasibility study in fiscal 2007.
In Oman, for the three years from fiscal 2004, we submitted an action plan to Oman Refinery Company LLC (ORC) for improving operating technology for wastewater treatment equipment and sour water treatment (SWT) units at its Mina al Fahal refinery. In fiscal 2006, we were also involved in making improvements to such facilities as seawater desalinization units, and these efforts resulted in a number of noteworthy achievements.

UAE: Oil Refining Technical Training for HCT Students

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in Abu Dhabi is an educational institution that supplies human resources for Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (TAKREER). Since 1999, the International Cooperation Center has regularly received HCT students in Japan. The center provides three training seminars annually on refining technology-related subjects such as the refining process, the environment, and testing and evaluation.

Locally Oriented Philanthropic Activities
Overseas-based offices of the Cosmo Oil Group carry out exchanges with local communities through community-focused social contribution activities that include charitable and environmental protection related activities.

Main Activities in Fiscal 2006

Planting mangrove trees contributes to greenification of island
(Mubarraz Oil Field, Abu Dhabi)

Cosmo Oil (U.K.) Plc. makes an annual donation to St. Elizabeth's Centre, a special care facility. Established more than 100 years ago, the center provides care to those with epilepsy, autism, and other special needs. Funds for these donations are procured by converting some of our year-end season's greetings cards to an e-mail version.
Meanwhile, another Group company, Abu Dhabi Oil Co., Ltd., provides volunteers for Japanese language classes sponsored by the local Japanese embassy. Abu Dhabi Oil also strives to preserve the environment of local communities and garners a great deal of local attention for its efforts. In 1983, a barren island was transformed into an island with lush greenery after the planting of mangrove trees. Ospreys, an endangered species, built nests on the island and even laid eggs.