### Orlen Unipetrol’s Recently Restarted Litvínov Refinery Faces Flood Threat
In the midst of a severe flood event in the Czech Republic, Orlen Unipetrol’s 5.4-million-tonne-year integrated refining and petrochemical complex in Litvínov remains operational, albeit with intensified crisis management measures. The low-pressure storm system named Boris, considered the worst to hit the region in nearly thirty years, has caused mass flooding across central Europe, resulting in significant damage and loss in countries including the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, and Romania.
#### Background on Recent Operations
Orlen Unipetol’s Litvínov refinery had just completed a major restart following an unprecedented event. An unexploded aerial World War II bomb discovered during excavation work at the Chempark Záluží petrochemical complex necessitated an immediate shutdown and declaration of force majeure on production. The successful removal of the bomb via controlled detonation by Czech police and fire rescue services on August 30, 2024, paved the way for the resumption of operations.
Production at Chempark Záluží continued steadily, with operations at the Litvínov refinery fully restored by September 10. Notably, the controlled detonation did not result in substantial damage that complicated restarting operations at either site.
#### Crisis Measures Amidst the Flood
As of September 16, operations at the refining and petrochemical sites remained ongoing, despite the flooding situation. However, internal crisis teams at both sites are actively working to minimize the negative impacts of the weather event on the plants’ technologies, equipment, feedstocks, and finished production. Any potential environmental risks are also being closely monitored and addressed by these internal teams.
#### Gas Station Operations
The flooding situation has also prompted Orlen Unipetol to coordinate measures for restoring safe operations at at least nine