Aberdeen (November 20, 2002) -- Mobil North Sea Limited, an ExxonMobil subsidiary, is supporting the planting of 9,000 native trees at The National Trust for Scotland's Castle Fraser.

Following the destruction of hundreds of trees on the Castle's estate during the severe storms in January of this year, Mobil North Sea Limited, which works in close partnership with the National Trust for Scotland, has agreed to support the re-planting programme.

School children from ExxonMobil's Aberdeen City link primary schools were invited to join in the planting activities. A total of thirty children were selected from Broomhill, Kaimhill and Ferryhill schools to help begin the planting process. In preparation for today's event, all the participating schools involved their pupils in projects studying trees. The children received additional support and assistance with their projects by visits from the Trust's ranger, Toni Watt.

Today's tree planting ceremony coincides with the beginning of National Tree Week.

Clay Vaughn, ExxonMobil's Aberdeen based Production manager said: "We are happy to be able to support the National Trust for Scotland with the planting of trees to replace those damaged by recent storms. Trees are a precious part of our natural heritage and we need to ensure future generations can enjoy the beauty and variety of our landscapes. Today's planting activity complements the work we do as part of the ExxonMobil Growing School Links programme. Environmental studies form a key component of the programme. We were keen to involve some of the school children in the planting activities so that they can understand the practical side of their studies, but we don't expect them to plant all 9,000 trees today!"

David Sharland, regional director for The National Trust for Scotland said: "We are delighted that ExxonMobil has given its support to The National Trust for Scotland for this project. The high winds that swept the country in January caused considerable damage to the woodlands here at Castle Fraser which in turn affected the visual appearance of the historic landscape, reduced visitor access and removed an important wildlife habitat. As the leading conservation organisation in Scotland, a major part of our work is the conservation of these important landscapes, the sponsorship from ExxonMobil has meant that we can make an immediate start on the long process of restoration.

"The support from the three schools today must also be highlighted. Our ranger, Toni Watt, has been supporting them in the classroom with their Environmental Education and she has told me how impressed she has been with their knowledge and understanding of the importance of trees and other environmental issues. It is wonderful to see the children using their knowledge and energy to help restore the woodlands here at Castle Fraser as part of National Tree Week."

Notes to Editors

1. ExxonMobil has a long-standing tradition of investing in the community. As a company which operates at the forefront of industrial science and technology, it is particularly committed to promoting greater public understanding of the role and purpose of science and technology in business and the benefits they bring to everyday life.

2. The ExxonMobil Growing School Links programme is in operation in over 50 schools around ExxonMobil operating sites in the UK, namely Aberdeen, St Fergus, Fife, Leatherhead, Great Yarmouth and Fawley. A 'flexible' or menu approach has been developed which offers schools a range of options to best suit their individual needs.

These options include:

• Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics programmes
• Environmental education programmes
• Careers advice programmes
  

Schools which are supported in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire are:

• Peterhead Academy
• St Fergus Primary
• Crimond Primary
• Northfield Academy
• Harlaw Academy
• Broomhill Primary
• Kaimhill Primary
• Ferryhill Primary