Chevron general manager, Tom Kovar, says refinery will not close (From Western Telegraph)

Chevron general manager, Tom Kovar, says refinery will not close

11:37am Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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Chevron oil refinery is looking for a buyer but there are no plans to close the plant, management has said.

The oil giant announced plans to streamline its global downstream portfolio, "including soliciting bids for certain operations in Europe (including thePembroke refinery)."

Yesterday's (Tuesday's) announcement follows reports in January sparking fearsthe plant could close and jobs were at risk.

General manager, Tom Kovar told the Western Telegraph this morning (Wednesday) that it is important to recognise that no final decision on the sale of the plant has been made.

"It is not going to close and we are not going to have massive lay-offs. Ourfocus here is to run this refinery as safely, reliably and efficiently as we can.

"There are in excess of a thousand people on site and they are good folks, they know their jobs and we need to keep them focused and not let this become a distraction.

"We certainly appreciate the distress it can cause and the concern but ourmain focus here does not change, we will continue to run the refinery and focus on our three main areas - safety, reliability and efficiency," Mr Kovar said.

Mr Kovar added that if a buyer is not found the plant will remain running and bidding process could take upwards of two years.

Staff are being updated on the situation. An e-mail sent to staff from Mr Kovar yesterday states: "This decision means that the company is exploring options to see if our operations hold more value to another owner than to Chevron.

"No firm decision on any aspect has been taken at this stage, and I am able to stress that we have no plans to idle any of our refineries."

South Pembrokeshire MP, Nick Ainger, said he has met with management and expressed concern about the uncertainty facing the refinery.

He said: "The company tell me that it is business as usual and their multi-million capital investment programme at Pembroke in 2010 and 2011 is going ahead. That is a vote of confidence in the plant's future.

"There are no plans to cut the workforce and the apprenticeship scheme continues. The investment programme will mean more jobs for local contractors.

"This plant is not being run down for closure. Refineries do get bought and sold and continue operating. The Murco refinery at Milford Haven has had four different owners in its less than 40 year life."