### Orlen Unipetrol’s Litvínov Refinery Navigates Unprecedented Flood Threat
In the midst of a severe flood event in central Europe, Orlen Unipetrol’s 5.4-million-tonne/year (tpy) integrated refining and petrochemical complex in Litvínov, Czech Republic, remains operational despite the challenging conditions. The ongoing low-pressure storm, named Boris, has been causing widespread flooding and disruptions across the region, affecting various aspects of the plant’s operations.
#### Preparation and Response
Orlen Unipetrol subsidiary, Orlen Unipetrol RPA SRO, has been actively preparing for and responding to the flood threat. The company’s internal crisis teams are diligently assessing the potential impacts of the weather event on the plant’s technologies, equipment, feedstocks, and finished production. To mitigate these effects, Orlen Unipetol’s production sites and the network of Orlen gas stations are coordinating necessary measures to restore safe operation of at least nine Orlen gas stations across the Czech Republic that were closed due to the flooding situation.
#### Historical Context
The Litvínov Refinery had recently restarted operations following a significant disruption caused by the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb on August 21. The complex shutdown and declaration of force majeure on production were necessitated by the hazardous nature of the device, which posed a substantial risk due to its long-term chemical time igniter. A controlled detonation by the police and fire rescue services successfully neutralized the bomb on August 30, allowing operations to resume by September 10.
#### Current Challenges
The return to operation has been marked by an emphasis on thorough site inspections and safety protocols. However, the flood event presents a new set of challenges for the plant. Orlen Unipetol is prepared to implement crisis measures to minimize negative impacts on the production