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Murco: Sale 'agreed' for oil refinery in Milford Haven | Murco: Sale 'agreed' for oil refinery in Milford Haven |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Hundreds of jobs at a closure-threatened oil refinery in Milford Haven could be saved after the sale of the site was agreed in principle. | |
Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb confirmed a breakthrough in the deal for the Murco plant had been made. | Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb confirmed a breakthrough in the deal for the Murco plant had been made. |
The future of the plant had been in doubt after owner Murphy Oil announced it was no longer buying crude oil to be processed at the site. | |
It followed the collapse of a £300m deal in April putting 400 jobs at risk. | It followed the collapse of a £300m deal in April putting 400 jobs at risk. |
The refinery has been a major employer at the port since it opened in 1973. | The refinery has been a major employer at the port since it opened in 1973. |
Mr Crabb said he was delighted with the breakthrough. | Mr Crabb said he was delighted with the breakthrough. |
"The agreement in principle reached between Murphy and the buyer is a hugely positive step forward," he added. | "The agreement in principle reached between Murphy and the buyer is a hugely positive step forward," he added. |
"The sale will secure hundreds of high quality jobs and will enable the refinery to continue operating fully. | "The sale will secure hundreds of high quality jobs and will enable the refinery to continue operating fully. |
"There remain challenges ahead, and a due diligence process to be completed, but I am just so pleased that we have reached this point. I am very optimistic that the sale can be completed. | "There remain challenges ahead, and a due diligence process to be completed, but I am just so pleased that we have reached this point. I am very optimistic that the sale can be completed. |
"It has felt like a race against time to find a new buyer ever since Murphy started the clock on potential closure." | "It has felt like a race against time to find a new buyer ever since Murphy started the clock on potential closure." |
Although an agreement has yet to be finalised, it is understood the potential buyer is oil entrepreneur Gary Klesch. | |
The Switzerland-based Klesch Group specialises in the production and trading of chemicals, metals and oil. | |
The plant - which can produce 135,000 barrels a day, is currently not buying crude oil, but recycling oil products to keep it operational. |