Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corp. and Total Petroleum receive requests for additional information about Total acquisition.

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 1997--Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corp. (NYSE: UDS) and Total Petroleum (North America) Ltd. (AMEX: TPN) today announced that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has requested additional information in connection with UDS's pending agreement to acquire Total Petroleum.

The request extends the waiting period under the Hart-Scott- Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976. The waiting period will now expire on the 20th calendar day after the companies substantially comply with the FTC's request or upon its earlier termination by action of the FTC.

UDS Chairman and CEO Roger Hemminghaus commented, "We have cooperated in supplying information requested to date and are prepared to provide the FTC with all the information necessary for the timely completion of its review. While there cannot be any assurance as to the outcome of this review, we believe that the proposed transaction complies with applicable regulatory requirements and remain optimistic that the acquisition will proceed through all regulatory requirements and close shortly thereafter."

Gary Jones, President and CEO of Total said, "We will respond to this request for additional information as quickly as possible while continuing normal operations. We, too, are optimistic that we can proceed to closure on a timely basis after our shareholder's vote."

In the proposed transaction, each outstanding Total Petroleum share would be converted into 0.322 of a share of UDS common stock. The meeting of Total Petroleum shareholders to vote on the transaction will be held at the Delta Bow Valley Inn in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on June 24, 1997. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including termination or expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino review period and the absence of certain litigation.

Total Petroleum (North America) Ltd. is a refiner and marketer of petroleum products with refineries in Colorado, Oklahoma and Michigan, and marketing activities in the central United States. Headquartered in Denver, the company employs 6,400 people. Total Petroleum shares are listed on the American, Toronto, Montreal, and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol TPN. Approximately 55% of its common shares are owned by Total S.A., a leading international oil and gas company headquartered in France, with shares listed on the Paris, London, and New York stock exchanges.

Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corp., with approximately $10.2 billion in annual revenues, is one of the largest independent refining and marketing companies in North America. The corporation owns four modern refineries in the United States and Canada with a total throughput capacity of 500,000 barrels per day and has approximately 4,300 branded retail gasoline outlets, the majority of which are branded Diamond Shamrock, Ultramar or Beacon. The corporation also has growing petrochemicals, home heating oil, and convenience store merchandising businesses. Ultramar Diamond Shamrock shares are listed on New York and Montreal stock exchanges under the trading symbol UDS.

CONTACT: Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corp., San Antonio

Helen Pitts, 210/641-8803

or

Mary Hartman, 210/641-8840

or

Total Petroleum, Denver

Doug Kerner, 303/291-2003

or

Christelle Langer, 303/291-2144