UPDATE 1-Unipetrol sees Benzina revamp raising mkt share

(Adds details, profit outlook)

PRAGUE, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Czech oil and chemicals group Unipetrol <UNPEsp.PR> said on Wednesday it would invest 1.3 billion crowns ($57.50 million) in revamping its chain of petrol stations to help boost its share of the local market to 14 to 15 percent by 2009.

The company said the money would go to its petrol retailer Benzina to modernise and rebrand its petrol station network.

"With the help of the reconstruction, it is possible for Benzina to secure 4-5 percent rise in market share through organic growth, without acquisitions," Benzina's Chief Executive Martin Durcak told reporters.

Durcak said the changes, plus constructing about five new stations per year, should allow Benzina to up its market share in the central European country of 10 million people from a current 10 percent.

Unipetrol said 102 stations would be upgraded and bear the name Benzina Plus, and would be aimed at the top end of the market.

The rest of Benzina's more than 300 filling stations would be modernised, but would still focus on the lower end of the market, Unipetrol said.

Potential acquisition would also be considered, Durcak said.

He said Benzina's revamp should help the firm turn in a net profit next year, after showing profit on the level of earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) this year.

Benzina had a 255 million crown loss in the first half of 2006.

Unipetrol is majority owned by Poland's PKN Orlen <PKNA.WA>. ((Reporting by an Korselt, writing by Jan Lopatka, editing by Sue Thomas; prague.newsroom@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: jan.lopatka.reuters.com@reuters.net; +420-224 190 474)) ($1=22.61 Czech Crown)

Keywords: CHEMICALS CZECH BENZINA