**Orlen Unipetrol’s Litvínov Refinery Resumes Operations Post-Bomb Removal, Yet Faces Flood Threat**
In a series of critical events, Orlen Unipetrol’s 5.4-million tonne/year (tpy) integrated refining and petrochemical complex in Litvínov, Czech Republic, has navigated both a major safety operation and ongoing flood threats. The journey to restart operations was marked by the discovery and removal of an unexploded aerial World War II bomb on August 21, 2024.
**The Bomb Removal and Restart**
The bomb, weighing 230 kg with approximately 100 kg of explosives, posed significant risks due to its long-term chemical time igniter, which used acetone for delayed detonation. Following its discovery during excavation work at the Chempark Záluží petrochemical complex, Orlen Unipetrol immediately suspended all production activities. The Czech Republic police and fire rescue services collaborated to neutralize the bomb on August 30, 2024. The operation necessitated extensive safety measures across the site and restrictions on nearby infrastructure.
The controlled detonation process lasted ten days and ensured the site’s safety before all operations resumed. Orlen Unipetrol confirmed its readiness to restart refining and petrochemical activities after completing thorough site inspections and verifying the integrity of production technologies and infrastructure. The restart of production became effective on September 10, 2024, with no substantial damage observed.
**Current Operations Amid Flood Threat**
Just as the complex was inching back to normal, a severe flood event, referred to as an “extraordinary flood,” has hit the region. The low-pressure storm system named Boris, which began its slow move through central Europe during the week of September 9, has led to mass flooding and related challenges. As of September 16, operations at the refining and petrochemical sites remained ongoing, but internal crisis teams are working diligently to minimize