Franklin Resources in possession of 5% of ORLEN's shares

Polski Koncern Naftowy ORLEN S.A. (PKN ORLEN), Central Europe's largest downstream oil company informs that on January 17th, 2001 Franklin Resources, Inc., informed PKN ORLEN S.A. that Franklin Resources, Inc., and its affiliates, which include Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC and Templeton Worldwide, Inc. and its affiliates are in possession of 21 063 580 bearer shares of Polski Koncern Naftowy ORLEN S.A. the amount that assures 5.01 percent of shares and votes at the general meeting of shareholders.