Viva Energy Australia will invest $23 million to construct a fuel pumping station on its existing pipeline between the Geelong refinery and Newport Terminal (VIC).
Viva Energy Supply General Manager, Dan Ridgway, said the pumping station will increase the amount of fuel that can be transferred from the refinery via pipeline to Melbourne by more than 25 per cent.
“Increasing our pipeline capacity is beneficial for all Victorians as it enables us to transport fuel across the State quickly, efficiently and reliably – allowing us to increase sales in Victoria and provide greater fuel security for customers,” said Mr Ridgway.
“The new pumping station provides additional capacity equivalent to 100 trucks per day moving fuel from Geelong to Melbourne on the Princess Highway,” he said.
The Geelong Refinery is a key driver of Victoria’s economy, providing more than half of the State’s fuel requirements. The investment forms a part of the $1 billion investment announced by Viva Energy to improve its refining capacity, expand its supply capability and develop further its customer offering.
The pumping station will be built on land leased from Melbourne Water on the outskirts of Werribee, halfway between Geelong Refinery and Melbourne. Specifically the project includes installation of the pumping station, a new pump at Geelong Refinery as well as pipeline and storage tank safety improvements.
“Manufacturing is a tough industry but Viva Energy has some ambitious plans for Geelong Refinery to help it compete against Asian mega refineries, which can be up to 10 times our size,” said Mr Ridgway.
“We’re continually looking for opportunities’ to maximise the refinery’s production, increase sales into the local market and drive efficiencies across the business.
“Viva Energy is looking at smarter ways to do business and constructing the pumping station is an example where targeted investment enhances our ability to respond to increasing customer demand.”
Downer Engineering’s Melbourne team has been engaged by Viva Energy to construct the pumping station which, together with the work being performed by UGL at Geelong Refinery, will generate about 25 construction jobs. The project is expected to be completed in May 2016.
Viva Energy was launched following Vitol’s acquisition of the Shell Australia downstream business. It comprises the Geelong Refinery, an 870 site – retail network and a bulk fuels, bitumen, chemicals and lubricants business supported by more than 20 terminals across the country. Viva Energy is the exclusive licensee to the Shell brand in Australia.
The Geelong Refinery employs more than 750 employees and spends more than $200 million each year in wages and services.
