Task force announced to support Murco refinery
11 Apr 2014 02:49 PM
Economy Minister Edwina Hart announced today
(Friday, April 11) the establishment of a high-level Task Force to support
Murco Petroleum Limited secure the future of refinery operations in Milford
Haven and safeguard the long-term future of around 400 jobs at the
plant
The
Task Force will be led by Lord Nick Bourne, Chair of the Milford Haven
Enterprise Zone Board.
Other membership of the Task Force will follow in due
course, but members will include representatives from Welsh Government, UK
Government, the local authority, Murco Petroleum Limited, the Haven Waterway
Enterprise Zone Board and relevant Trade Unions. An initial meeting is in the
process of being arranged.
Announcing the Task Force, Mrs Hart
said:
“As a Government, we are determined to do all that
we can to support the employer and its workforce at this time. This is why, I
am now establishing the Task Force to marshal support to the company for the
maintenance of refinery operations at the site for the future.
“The Murco refinery is integral to the fabric of
the oil and gas infrastructure in Wales and the Welsh economy. The Welsh
Government is fully aware of the challenges facing the refining sector and has
worked very closely with Murco over the past four years to try and secure the
ongoing operation of the refinery and protect the jobs at the Milford Haven
site. The Task Force will have one clear objective - to engage partners in
high-level dialogue to support the company in maintaining the future of
refinery operations at the site.”
First Minister Carwyn Jones met managing director Tom
McKinlay and the senior management team at Murco on a visit to the Milford
Haven refinery on Monday. Murphy Oil, the refinery's American owners,
announced last week that it would be consulting on future options for the
facility after takeover talks with a London-based private equity fund broke
down.
Lord Bourne, Chair of the Task Force,
said:
“The Murco oil refinery is a very important
employer for the local economy in Pembrokeshire and for the energy sector
in Wales as well as being of strategic importance to the UK as whole. I am very
encouraged by the backing of the Welsh Government for this task force and the
goodwill amongst everyone involved to ensure a positive outcome. I am under no
illusions about the work ahead but I will be asking the Task Force to meet as
soon as possible to explore all options for a sustainable future for the
refinery."