RNS Number:1735R
KBC Advanced Technologies PLC
8 February 2002

Embargoed until 07.00     8 February 2002


                         KBC Advanced Technologies plc

                            ("KBC" or the "Company")


 KBC Expands Capabilities in Hydrocarbon and Energy Consulting with Acquisition
                                       of

                          Petroleum Economics Limited

KBC Advanced Technologies plc, a leading independent process engineering group,
today announced the acquisition of the UK based energy economics consultancy,
Petroleum Economics Ltd ("PEL"). The combination of KBC and PEL offers an
additional dimension in consulting services for the hydrocarbon processing and
energy industries. The consideration will be a combination of cash and loan
notes totalling £2m, with an initial payment of £1.1m, and the balance paid over
a three-year period.

This addition to KBC's refining and petrochemical technology consultancy
provides a broadened overview of the key economic, market and commercial factors
driving oil pricing, production, transport, supply, refining, marketing, and
industry strategy. PEL carries out a wide range of regional studies
concentrating on the future outlook for the industry, including forecasts of
prices and supply demand balances. Additionally, client specific studies allow
its clients to obtain an independent perspective on future economic
opportunities.

Don Romano, KBC's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are excited to add
PEL's commercial capabilities to KBC's broad range of technical consulting and
service offerings. The synergistic combination of KBC's technical consulting
services, with PEL's recognised commercial and trading knowledge, will allow our
hydrocarbon processing industry and energy clients to obtain a unique
perspective to optimising current assets, as well as a truly independent view on
future investment options".

Steve Terry, Managing Director of PEL, added, "Organisations working in the
energy business face a complex and constantly shifting pattern of market forces.
PEL and KBC can provide both a thorough appreciation of the principles governing
the working of the world energy market and a detailed understanding of the oil,
coal, gas, chemical and power generation sectors within it. We are very pleased
that we have been able to conclude this agreement, and are confident that our
client base will see the benefits of this acquisition. "


                                     -ends-


For further details contact:


KBC Advanced Technologies plc     01932 242 424

Nick Stone, Chief Finance Officer

Weber Shandwick Square Mile     020 7950 2800

Kirsty Hall/Christian Taylor-Wilkinson

Notes to Editors: KBC Advanced Technologies plc is a leading independent process
engineering group, providing specialised consultancy and support services to
enable oil refiners to improve operational efficiency and profitability. Through
its Profit Improvement Program (PIP) KBC analyses refinery operations and
recommends changes that deliver material and measurable improvements in
profitability. KBC has a broad spread of clients ranging from large integrated
oil companies to small independent refiners.



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