OPZZ: PKN mulling purchase of refinery in Germany

Chairman of the left-of-center labor union OPZZ, Maciej Manicki, told journalists at a press conference on Friday that Poland's largest oil concern PKN Orlen is considering acquiring 50% of the German Mider refinery located in Leuna, Germany. Manicki did not say where he obtained this information. The daily Gazeta Wyborcza unofficially learned that PKN has given consideration to purchasing the Leuna-based refinery, the most advanced of its kind operating in Europe, owned by Elf Total Fina. PKN's press office would only confirm that it is going over several investment options, with no final decisions having been made yet. Manicki spoke of PKN taking over some 230 Mider-operated gas stations in Germany and roughly 30 in the Czech Republic. The refinery launched operations in 1997 and processes some 10 million tonnes of crude yearly. Manicki also speculated that if indeed PKN opts to acquire part of the refinery, this would take place at the cost of developing Poland's own petrochemicals segment. According to today's Rzeczpospolita, the Treasury Ministry and PKN's management have already given their consent to the deal. (Gazeta Wyborcza, Feb. 17-18, p.25; Rzeczpospolita, p.A1) M.S.C.