**Orlen Unipetrol’s Litvinov Refinery Restarted After Bomb Neutralization Faces Flooding Threat**
The Litvinov refinery, a critical component of Orlen Unipetrol’s operations in the Czech Republic, has recently resumed production after a significant safety incident involving an unexploded World War II bomb. This dramatic event, which culminated in a controlled detonation on August 30, 2024, forced a temporary shutdown of operations and the declaration of force majeure on fuel production.
The 230 kg bomb, discovered during excavation work on August 21, posed an unprecedented risk due to its long-term chemical time igniter, which used acetone for delayed detonation. The complex neutralization process, lasting ten days, required extensive safety measures and prompted the immediate shutdown of the Litvinov Refinery.
Following the successful removal and detonation of the bomb, site safety inspections by Czech Republic police, fire, and rescue services, and internal teams were conducted to ensure the site was safe for operation. The controlled detonation did not cause substantial damage that would complicate restarting operations, enabling production to resume by September 10.
However, this relief is short-lived as the recently restarted refinery now faces a new challenge: an extraordinary flood event, designated as a low-pressure storm system named Boris. This severe weather system, described by local media as the worst in nearly 30 years, has resulted in mass flooding across central Europe, including the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, and Romania.
As of September 16, operations remained ongoing at the refining and petrochemical sites. Internal crisis teams are taking immediate action to minimize the negative impacts of the flood on plant technologies, equipment, feedstocks, and finished production. Additionally, necessary measures are being implemented to restore safe operation of at least nine Orlen gas stations across the Czech Republic that were closed due to flooding.
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