Chevron is looking for a buyer for its Pembroke refinery, but there are no plans to close the plant, management has said.

The oil giant has announced plans to streamline its global downstream portfolio, ‘including soliciting bids for certain operations in Europe (including the Pembroke refinery)’.

Tuesday’s announcement follows reports in January sparking fears the plant could close and jobs were at risk.

General manager, Tom Kovar told the Milford Mercury it is important to recognise that no final decision on the sale of the plant has been made.

“It is not going to close and we are not going to have massive lay-offs,” he said.

“Our focus here is to run this refinery as safely, reliably and efficiently as we can.

“There are in excess of a thousand people on site and they are good folks, they know their jobs and we need to keep them focused and not let this become a distraction.

“We certainly appreciate the distress it can cause and the concern but our main focus here does not change, we will continue to run the refinery and focus on our three main areas — safety, reliability and efficiency.”

Mr Kovar added that if a buyer is not found, the plant will remain running and the bidding process could take up to two years.

Staff are being updated on the situation. An e-mail sent to staff from Mr Kovar on March 9 states: “This decision means that the company is exploring options to see if our operations hold more value to another owner than to Chevron.

“No firm decision on any aspect has been taken at this stage, and I am able to stress that we have no plans to idle any of our refineries.”

South Pembrokeshire MP, Nick Ainger, said he has met with management and expressed concern about the uncertainty facing the refinery.

He said: “The company tells me that it is business as usual and their multi-million capital investment programme at Pembroke in 2010 and 2011 is going ahead. That is a vote of confidence in the plant’s future.

“There are no plans to cut the workforce and the apprenticeship scheme continues. The investment programme will mean more jobs for local contractors.

“This plant is not being run down for closure. Refineries do get bought and sold and continue operating. The Murco refinery at Milford Haven has had four different owners in its less than 40 year life.”

The news that Chevron plans to seek a buyer prompted reaction from county politicians and the local authority.

The leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor John Davies, said: “Obviously any speculation over the future of the refinery is unsettling for all concerned.

“On Tuesday afternoon, I received an undertaking from Chevron that proposed investment at the refinery will continue and that they have no plans to idle the plant. That is reassuring, given that the refinery is such an important asset to the Pembrokeshire economy.”

Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb said he was disappointed that Chevron has signalled it wants to sell the Pembroke refinery.

“The news is no surprise as BP has already quit refining in the UK and Shell has put its refinery in Stanlow up for sale too. The leading oil companies do not consider the UK an attractive market to refine petroleum products any longer.

“But, given the size and efficiency of the Pembroke refinery, I am hopeful that a smaller buyer will step in to make an offer for the facility.

“The Chevron brand, like its Texaco predecessor, has been associated with an enormous range of local charities and community projects in Pembrokeshire over the years.”

He added: “It will be sad to see it disappear from the county if a sale goes through and I hope that whichever company takes over the Pembroke refinery will recognise the importance of active community engagement.”

Regional AM Alun Davies emphasised the continuing support for apprentices at the site and the significant investment which has taken place there over the years.

“It will be a very worrying time for the 1,400 employees and their families who depend on these local jobs. However, we must remain confident that a buyer steps forward to continue operations here. “I have already spoken with the First Minister Carwyn Jones to bring him up to date with the situation. I will be pressing the Welsh Assembly to do everything it can to work with the company, prospective buyers and our Government colleagues in Westminster to maintain the current level of local jobs which in turn supports the wider Pembrokeshire economy.”

Carwyn Jones added: “As a Government we have already been in dialogue with Chevron seeking clarification about their medium and long term intentions.

“We have been assured there is no immediate threat to the Pembroke refinery — from either sale or closure. We will be doing all we can as a Government, to maintain this plant in the future.”