Puerto La Cruz refinery closes down for major maintenance works

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Friday, March 28, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The Puerto La Cruz refinery has announced it will be closing down for 25 days to do important maintenance work. 

Deputy manager, Alejandro Granados reports that the stoppage had been postponed several times but will finally come into effect on May 1st. 

"Among the technical objectives is to optimize the FCC and sulphur units ... workers are currently engaged on minor maintenance works." 

Grandados points out that supplies and materials have been bought to avoid any delays in getting the plant up to standard and says the Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) Intevep research unit will send a specialized team to supervise major works. 

"We will be hiring 250 temporary workers during the stoppage ... welders, fitters, workers electricians and mechanical engineers and we have asked contractors to hire local people." 

PDVSA Puerto La Cruz will contract out special activities, such as the chemical cleaning of pipelines and refractory installations.