**Orlen Unipetrol’s Litvínov Refinery and Petrochemical Operations Remain Offline**
Orlen Unipetrol, a leading player in the Czech Republic’s oil and gas industry, has faced significant operational disruptions at its Litvínov refinery and petrochemical complex. The site, known for its advanced refining and petrochemical capabilities, has been offline since August 22, 2024, due to the discovery of an unexploded World War II aerial bomb during excavation work in the Chempark Záluží area.
### The Discovery and Immediate Response
On August 21, 2024, Orlen Unipetrol uncovered the significant historical artifact during routine excavation activities in a remote part of its complex. In response to this unexpected find, the company immediately initiated a safe shutdown of all production and energy units at the Litvínov refinery. This precautionary measure was taken to ensure public safety and prevent any potential risks associated with the bomb’s presence.
### Operational Disruptions
The suspension of refining activities at Litvínov resulted in a lack of feedstock availability for the site’s integrated petrochemical operations. Consequently, Orlen Unipetrol began a controlled shutdown of the Chempark Záluží ethylene plant’s 544,000-tonne/year steam cracker. Additionally, the company reduced operations at the site’s polymerization and other downstream units to ensure a comprehensive halt of production.
### Coordination with Authorities
Orlen Unipetrol is currently cooperating with the Czech Republic police and fire rescue services to prepare the areas for the safe deactivation of the bomb. The deactivation process is scheduled to begin on August 28, 2024. Following the successful deactivation, the company will conduct thorough inspections to ensure that all production units and infrastructure are safe and operational.
### Impact on Product Supply
The discovery of the unexploded bomb has forced Orlen Unipetrol to declare force majeure