Puma Energy International, the global integrated midstream and downstream energy Company announced today the beginning of construction of the new Latin America regional headquarters near San Juan, Puerto Rico and the near completion of its environmental remediation program of the acquired Bayamón terminal and 147 service stations.

Serafín Ruiz, Chief Operating Officer for Puma Energy International, together with the Governor of Puerto Rico, Alejandro García Padilla and other senior executives of the Company, marked the occasion with a groundbreaking ceremony in the presence of employees, community representatives and business leaders.

With this new construction, Bayamón (Puerto Rico) joins Tallin (Estonia), Johannesburg (South Africa), Brisbane (Australia) and Singapore—Puma’s regional hubs for the management of all commercial activity in their respective regions. Puerto Rico will become the center of operations for the Caribbean and the entire Americas, presently serving a number of countries including: Panamá, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The total investment in the new regional office, which is expected to be complete by April 2015, is approximately $17 million (USD) and investments made by Puma Energy in the country will create more than 230 indirect jobs. This number is in addition to the 700 contractors that are currently working on the construction and environmental rehabilitation of the terminal area in Bayamón, acquired by Puma Energy in 2011. Both job figures are part of the more than 3,000 direct and indirect jobs created and sustained by Puma Energy in Puerto Rico since 2011.

“Over the past few years we have worked tirelessly, kept a low public profile and have remained focused on the job we came here to do, making significant amounts of investments in Puerto Rico. This is only the beginning, as various other energy projects are in store for the future,” said Serafin Ruiz, Chief Operating Officer of Puma Energy International.

Víctor Domínguez, General Manager of Puma Energy Caribe LLC, noted that today’s announcement, aside from transforming Puerto Rico into a hub for fuel imports and the coordination of distribution for the Americas and the Caribbean, coincides with the consent by the Public Service Commission of Puerto Rico to import and distribute propane gas, thus increasing the import and distribution of other fuel types in Puerto Rico. To date, the Company’s total investment in Puerto Rico is approximately $480 million (USD).

About Puma Energy

Puma Energy is a global integrated midstream and downstream oil company active in over 35 countries. Formed in 1997 in Central America, Puma Energy has since expanded its activities worldwide, achieving rapid growth, diversification and product line development.

The group directly manages over 6,000 employees, is headquartered in Singapore and has regional hubs in Johannesburg (South Africa), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Brisbane (Australia) and Tallinn (Estonia). Puma Energy’s core activities in the midstream sector include the supply, storage and transportation of petroleum products. Puma Energy’s activities are underpinned by investment in infrastructure which optimises supply chain systems, capturing value as both asset owner and marketer of product. Puma Energy’s downstream activities include the distribution, retail sales and wholesale of the full range of refined products, with additional product offerings in the lubricants, bitumen, LPG and marine bunkering sectors. Puma currently has a global network of over 1,500 retail service stations. Puma Energy also provides a robust platform for independent entrepreneurs to develop their businesses, by providing a viable alternative to traditional market supply sources. Total sales are expected to reach over USD 13 billion in 2013.

Puma Energy’s strategic shareholders are Trafigura Beheer B.V, one of the world’s largest independent commodity traders, and Sonangol, the national oil company of Angola.