Oil jobs at risk in Chevron sale

Chevron, which is the second biggest US oil company, announced today it is looking for a buyer for its refinery in Pembrokeshire.

The oil giant, which owns the Texaco filling stations brand, is allowing up to two years for the sale but has told Sky News today that it could not rule out shutting the plant down, putting 1,400 jobs at risk.

The refinery, which opened in the mid 1960s received an £84 million upgrade in 2005. Its workforce comprises 600 permanent staff and 800 contract workers.

It currently processes 220,000 barrels of crude oil a day and is estimated to be worth £1.5 million a week to the county’s economy.

Chevron said it is looking to focus its marketing and refining activities in US and Asia Pacific.

In a statement, the company said: “Chevron has announced its intention to solicit bids for some of its operations in Europe as part of the company’s global downstream restructuring.

“This includes our Pembroke refinery, as well as fuels marketing, aviation and lubricants operations in Europe,” it said.