Thai Oil refining as usual, ‘CFP’ completed as planned

Bangkok, Thai Oil Public Company Limited reiterates that the refinery is operating normally and the Clean Fuel Project (CFP) is still proceeding according to plan. It is coordinating with relevant agencies to jointly solve the problem of workers and employees of SINOPEC contractors protesting because they have not received their wages on time. Reporters reported that today (25 July) a group of laborers continued to protest along Sukhumvit Road in front of the Thai Oil refinery in Sri Racha District, Chonburi Province, continuing from yesterday (24 July). From the investigation of Thai Oil, it was found that the group of laborers were employees of Sinopec Engineering Group (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (SINOPEC), which is a subcontractor of the Unincorporated Joint Venture of Petrofac, Saipem, Samsung (UJV), which is the main contractor and the employer of SINOPEC to construct the Clean Fuel Project (CFP) for the company. The labor group gathered to demand wages from SINOPEC because SINOPEC claimed that they did not receive compensation according to the contract with UJV. At 2:00 p.m. yesterday, the company coordinated a discussion between representatives of the SINOPEC labor group, relevant government agencies, including the Chonburi Provincial Labor Protection and Welfare Office, the Chonburi Provincial Social Security Office, the Sri Racha District Chief Office, and UJV. However, the negotiations have not yet reached an agreement, so the protests are still ongoing. Thai Oil PCL reiterates that Thai Oil refinery continues to refine oil as usual. The company has taken care of and has personnel who are ready to maintain the safety of the refinery. The CFP project is still proceeding as planned. The company sincerely hopes that UJV and SINOPEC will be able to reach an agreement and provide assistance to all affected labor groups as UJV and SINOPEC are the employers of such labor groups. Thai Oil stated in June 2024 that the Clean Fuel Project (CFP) is 96% complete and will begin testing production in early 2025. This pr oject will increase refining capacity to 400,000 barrels per day from the current 270,000 barrels per day. There will be an increase in diesel and jet fuel refining, which will result in an increase in the gross refining margin (GRM). Source: Thai News Agency