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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Chevron looks for refinery buyer | Chevron looks for refinery buyer |
| (41 minutes later) | |
| Chevron says it is looking for a buyer for its refinery in Pembrokeshire which employs around 1,400 people. | Chevron says it is looking for a buyer for its refinery in Pembrokeshire which employs around 1,400 people. |
| The US-based company said it wanted to gauge interest in the Pembroke site but said it would not close down. | The US-based company said it wanted to gauge interest in the Pembroke site but said it would not close down. |
| It processes 220,000 barrels of crude oil a day and is estimated to be worth £1.5m a week to the county's economy. | It processes 220,000 barrels of crude oil a day and is estimated to be worth £1.5m a week to the county's economy. |
| MP Nick Ainger said managers had told him Chevron planned to invest over £50m at the site and he was hopeful the refinery had "a real future". | MP Nick Ainger said managers had told him Chevron planned to invest over £50m at the site and he was hopeful the refinery had "a real future". |
| Chevron said its intention to look for bids for some of its operations in Europe was part of its global restructuring. | Chevron said its intention to look for bids for some of its operations in Europe was part of its global restructuring. |
| In a statement it said: "To confirm, this process is to determine interest in our operations in Europe. | In a statement it said: "To confirm, this process is to determine interest in our operations in Europe. |
| "No decision has been made to sell any asset at this time. | "No decision has been made to sell any asset at this time. |
| Huge employer | |
| "We have no plans to idle any of our refineries. | "We have no plans to idle any of our refineries. |
| "Our continuing focus is on operating Pembroke refinery in a safe, reliable and environmentally responsible manner." | "Our continuing focus is on operating Pembroke refinery in a safe, reliable and environmentally responsible manner." |
| If they can't find a buyer then I would be quite concerned for the long-term future of Pembroke Nick McGregor, oil industry analyst | If they can't find a buyer then I would be quite concerned for the long-term future of Pembroke Nick McGregor, oil industry analyst |
| The union GMB said it was "essential" that the refinery, at which around 600 staff and 800 contractors work, remains open. | |
| Regional officer Jeff Beck said: "This refinery is a huge employer in west Wales. It is essential that the UK and Welsh governments ensure that who ever buys this will pledge to keep it open. | |
| "We can not have another Corus situation in west Wales. GMB will be seeking talks with all concerned to ensure that employment is safeguarded." | |
| Pembrokeshire council said it was "seeking more information and clarification" from the company. | Pembrokeshire council said it was "seeking more information and clarification" from the company. |
| Mr Ainger, MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, said managers had told him the company planned to invest $80m (£53m) over the next two years. | Mr Ainger, MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, said managers had told him the company planned to invest $80m (£53m) over the next two years. |
| Business as usual | |
| "To me that indicates that Chevron view this as very much a going concern and want to make it an attractive proposition for a bidder," he said. | "To me that indicates that Chevron view this as very much a going concern and want to make it an attractive proposition for a bidder," he said. |
| "They are telling me there will be no lay-offs planned at all. | "They are telling me there will be no lay-offs planned at all. |
| "They are continuing with apprenticeships, so it's business as usual - that's what the local management are telling me. | "They are continuing with apprenticeships, so it's business as usual - that's what the local management are telling me. |
| "I am hopeful that the refinery has a real future." | "I am hopeful that the refinery has a real future." |
| Wales Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said he spoke to Chevron this morning and intends meeting the company to discuss its plans. | Wales Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said he spoke to Chevron this morning and intends meeting the company to discuss its plans. |
| "They have already told us that no decision has been taken to sell their Pembroke site, but are undertaking an exercise to identify possible buyers for the refinery," he added. | "They have already told us that no decision has been taken to sell their Pembroke site, but are undertaking an exercise to identify possible buyers for the refinery," he added. |
| "This process could take at least two years during which time the refinery would remain operational. | "This process could take at least two years during which time the refinery would remain operational. |
| "We understand that planned investments at the plant and the apprenticeship programme will continue." | "We understand that planned investments at the plant and the apprenticeship programme will continue." |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Cheryl Gillan MP said it was "extremely worrying news". | Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Cheryl Gillan MP said it was "extremely worrying news". |
| National implications | National implications |
| "The company must give every assurance to the local workforce that their jobs will not be put at risk," she added. | "The company must give every assurance to the local workforce that their jobs will not be put at risk," she added. |
| "I am seeking an assurance from the UK Government that it is in discussions with the firm about the implications of this decision locally and nationally." | "I am seeking an assurance from the UK Government that it is in discussions with the firm about the implications of this decision locally and nationally." |
| Nick McGregor, an oil industry analyst at Redmayne Bentley, told BBC Radio Wales he believed if Chevron could get a creditable price they would sell the plant. | Nick McGregor, an oil industry analyst at Redmayne Bentley, told BBC Radio Wales he believed if Chevron could get a creditable price they would sell the plant. |
| "I think Chevron will certainly look for a reasonable period of time for a buyer but I don't think they are going to sustain their ownership of it in the long term," he warned. | "I think Chevron will certainly look for a reasonable period of time for a buyer but I don't think they are going to sustain their ownership of it in the long term," he warned. |
| "If they can't find a buyer then I would be quite concerned for the long-term future of Pembroke. | "If they can't find a buyer then I would be quite concerned for the long-term future of Pembroke. |
| "I think that the only consolation is the fact that there will be a political will to continue refining a reasonable amount in this country and some of the other operations in the UK are also being looked at by their owners." | "I think that the only consolation is the fact that there will be a political will to continue refining a reasonable amount in this country and some of the other operations in the UK are also being looked at by their owners." |
| The refinery, which first opened in 1964, benefited from an £84m upgrade in 2005. | The refinery, which first opened in 1964, benefited from an £84m upgrade in 2005. |