London—The UK refining sector is set comprise just six operational plants—a third of the capacity of the late 1970s—after the US’ Murphy Oil said late Tuesday it would close down its 135,000 b/d Milford Haven facility in Wales. The decision came after a deal to sell the plant to the privately-owned Klesch Group fell through. The deal, first announced in July this year, would have seen Klesch expand its European refining network following its acquisition of the 90,000 b/d Heide refinery in Germany and save 400 jobs at the Milford Haven plant. Murphy’s UK chief Brian Kelly spoke of his “great frustration and regret” that the refinery would have to close “despite every effort” to ensure the sale.
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