Gaz de France: Q3 2007 sales increased by nearly 10%

During the Q3 of 2007, the Gaz de France Group achieved sales of €4,352 million, an increase of nearly 10% compared to the third quarter of 2006. This growth reflects an improvement in the Group’s business activities during the quarter in a background of almost neutral climatic conditions.

Due to the good performance of the activities during the quarter, the change in sales over the nine first months of 2007 has improved to –6.5% compared with –11% over the first six months. As at 30 September 2007, Group sales amounted to €18,130 million compared to €19,391 million for the first nine months of 2006.

In France, Group sales rose to €10,315 million. This was down by 7% compared to the first nine months of 2006, mainly due to the exceptionally mild weather in the first half of 2007. Outside France, sales amount to €7,815 million, representing more than 40% of Group sales. The third quarter of 2007 was also marked by the announcement, on 3 September 2007, of the new strategic direction of the planned merger with Suez.

This project should be finalized as soon as possible during the first half of 2008. Gaz de France confirms its 2007 financial objective: „2007 will be a year of consolidation. The gross operating surplus should be in line with that of 2006.” This objective assumes average climate conditions during the last quarter of 2007. (businesswire)