Poland
Production from the hydrocracker at the Gdansk refinery began on 15th January. The Grupa Lotos SA owned facility is running the new diesel fuel unit at a very low rate, as the residual oil extraction unit is yet to be brought online. Once the entire facility is up and running, Lotos’ total processing capacity will be increased by 75%.
The Netherlands
The startup of a gasoline unit at the Pernis oil refinery has been delayed for a third time. The Royal Dutch Shell Plc. owned facility is the Europe’s largest refinery. It has been reported that the unit will be out of operation for several months.
UK
A strike is being planned at the Stanlow refinery during February. This will be the first strike held at the facility since June 2008 and has been organised by Unite who intend to ballot members on industrial action. The planned picket line will prevent tankers entering the refinery and could result in up to 3000 fuel tanker drivers refusing to get behind the wheel.
Klesch & Co. Ltd. has made an offer for the Lindsey refinery, currently owned by Total. Total did put the facility up for sale along with 780 petrol stations during 2010 however, Klesch are only bidding for the refinery. Last year Klesch bought Shell’s Heide refinery in Germany.