After the incident at the Hertfordshire Oil Storage Ltd (HOSL) depot in Buncefield on December 11, 2005, the relevant U.K. authorities issued several investigation reports. The report dated July 13, 2006 states that the incident was probably caused by a cloud of explosive gas that formed as a result of overflow from a gasoline storage tank, following the failure of the tank's level gauge and alarms during a delivery by pipeline.

The operator, HOSL, of which Total UK is a shareholder alongside another oil company, worked closely with the authorities to identify the root causes of the accident, and with them and the industry as a whole to determine any corrective measures required.

At the same time, our logistics teams prepared an action plan in 2006 to review the reliability of level gauges and alarm systems, the appropriateness of organizational measures, and procedures for receiving products.

We have introduced an audit program, based on an assessment grid tested and validated in early 2007, covering all of our depots. The following measures have been deployed:

- At all European depots: Standard procedure applicable
- At all Africa/Middle East depots:  Plans to install level gauges and alarm systems