Viva Energy project director Glenn Lyons, CEO Scott Wyatt, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, and the EGM of Energy and Infrastructure, Bill Patterson, mark the official opening of the plant.
The Ultra-Low Sulphur Gasoline plant at the Geelong refinery was officially opened in December 2025.
Ultra-low sulphur gasoline will deliver a reduction in tailpipe emissions, resulting in improvements in air quality, public health and the environment.
The $400 million project included a $150 million contribution from the Australian Government.
Under new fuel standards that came into effect in December, 2025, all grades of petrol must contain a maximum of 10 parts per million sulphur and 95 Research Octane Number (RON) petrol a maximum of 35 percent aromatics.
The standards position Australia to import the most advanced and efficient cars with the latest internal combustion engine technology.
More than 300 people worked on the project at the peak of construction, representing a substantial workforce drawn from a range of trades and disciplines, including engineers, skilled tradespeople such as electricians and pipefitters, project managers, safety officers, and support staff. The influx of workers provided a boost to the local economy and supported local businesses throughout the 27-month construction period.
The new plant incorporates 29 kilometres of pipes and 51 kilometres of electrical cable.
The sulphur that is removed is converted to elemental sulphur which is then sold for use in a range of fertiliser products for the Australian agricultural market.
The plant was declared open by the Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy on December 18.
“Australians deserve cleaner fuels that protect their health and keep our economy moving, and that is what this investment delivers,” Mr Bowen said. “By backing Viva Energy’s refinery in Geelong we are supporting local jobs, locking in fuel security here at home, and cutting harmful pollution from the cars people drive every day.”
Viva Energy CEO Scott Wyatt said the completion of the ULSG plant represents the most significant upgrade to the Geelong refinery in many years.
“This investment not only keeps local manufacturing thriving but also enables us to produce the cleanest petrol we’ve ever manufactured in Australia, reducing vehicle emissions and supporting the latest in vehicle technology,” Mr Wyatt said. “We are proud to play a leading role in ensuring Australia’s energy security and contributing to a cleaner environment for future generations.”