Orlen Unipetrol nears full Litvínov refinery recovery after power outage, restarting key units and ensuring safe, phased production resumption.
Orlen Unipetrol has announced the successful completion of restoration efforts at its Litvínov Refinery following a significant power outage that disrupted operations earlier this month. The incident, which occurred on Friday, July 4, led to a complete shutdown of production at the site, one of the most important energy and chemical hubs in the Czech Republic.
Since the outage, Orlen Unipetrol’s technical teams have been diligently working to bring the facility back online. After conducting comprehensive safety checks, system assessments, and phased recovery operations, the company confirmed that the final phase of restoration is now underway. On Wednesday, July 23, during the early morning hours, Orlen Unipetrol began the commissioning process for its ethylene unit — a central component of the refinery's petrochemical operations.
The recommissioning of the ethylene unit marks a crucial milestone in the full recovery of the Litvínov site. This unit is essential for the production of key petrochemical intermediates, and its operational status directly influences the overall output of the refinery. During this commissioning phase, the plant will perform controlled flaring of industrial gases using designated safety field burners. These flares are necessary safety procedures and may result in noticeable visual and auditory effects, such as flames and loud noises, which are part of standard safety protocols.
Orlen Unipetrol has issued a public notice to inform nearby communities about these temporary effects. The company has extended its apologies for any disturbances caused and expressed appreciation for the patience and understanding of local residents during the recovery process.
The full resumption of operations across the entire petrochemical section of the refinery is expected to be achieved by the beginning of the following week. Concurrently, production levels in the refinery segment will also be ramped up to standard operating capacity. The company has emphasized its commitment to safety and environmental compliance throughout the entire restoration process.
This incident has highlighted the critical role of energy infrastructure resilience and the importance of rapid response mechanisms in maintaining operational continuity. Orlen Unipetrol has not only focused on restoring output but has also undertaken internal evaluations to identify potential improvements to its emergency response and infrastructure safeguards, aiming to reduce the impact of similar events in the future.
In summary, Orlen Unipetrol is now nearing full operational status at its Litvínov refinery, thanks to a coordinated and disciplined restoration effort that ensures both safety and efficiency in the wake of a major power disruption.
