Viva Energy Australia (“Viva Energy”) today officially opened its new 100 million litre crude oil tank at its Geelong Refinery.
Viva Energy GM Refining, Thys Heyns, said the $50 million crude oil tank project was a significant growth investment for the refinery that will not only increase its production capabilities, but also improve fuel supply security for Victoria.
“This is momentous day for the refinery, the Geelong community and Victoria. This tank increases our crude storage capacity by 40%, and in fact can hold enough crude oil to produce all the fuel required to meet Victoria’s needs for about three days.
“In addition to the tank, we’ve invested millions in other infrastructure projects such as the $23 million pumping station which increases the amount of fuel transported by pipeline to Melbourne by 25% and a $4 million upgrade to our jet fuel gantry to improve supply to Melbourne and Avalon airports.
“I’m also delighted to announce that we have received board approval to build a $15 million bitumen export facility, a $23 million, 25 million litre gasoline tank to increase our fuel storage at the refinery, and a $7 million revamp of our crude distillation unit furnace. All of these projects further demonstrate our commitment to build a sustainable business in Geelong and support our customers in Victoria,” said Mr Heyns.
In attendance at the opening were the Hon Richard Marles, Federal Member for Corio and Sarah Henderson, Federal Member for Corangamite.
The Hon Richard Marles commented that that the tank’s size was symbolic of Viva Energy’s investment in local manufacturing in Geelong during the past three years.
“Viva Energy’s $300 million investment into the Geelong Refinery during the past three years represents a significant investment in traditional manufacturing across the region. With a workforce of around 700 at the refinery this is great news for regional Victorian jobs and workers,” said Mr Marles.
Ms Henderson said, “The refinery has been an important part of the Geelong community for more than 60-years so it is great to see all of this investment being made to secure its long-term future.”
Facts & Figures
$50 million crude oil tank
- The Geelong Refinery’s new crude tank is the largest crude oil storage tank in Australia. .
- It stands 21 metres high, has a diameter of 84 metres and can hold up to 100 million litres of crude oil, the equivalent of 40 Olympic swimming pools.
- The tank can hold about 15 days production from the Bass Strait (Gippsland) oil fields and enough crude oil to produce the fuel requirements for the refinery’s customers who pick up their fuel from our tanker gantry for about 30 days.
- It used about 4,000 tonnes of steel in its construction and approximately 120 people working 250,000 hours to complete.
$23 million fuel pumping station
- The new $23 million fuel pumping station increases the amount of fuel that can be transferred from Geelong Refinery via pipeline to Melbourne by more than 25%, which is equivalent to 100 trucks per day.
$4 million jet fuel gantry
- The $4 million jet gantry will enable jet fuel to be transported to Melbourne and Avalon airports by truck thereby providing supply diversity to pipeline delivery.
$15 million bitumen import / export facility
- As the only manufacturer of bitumen in Australia, the $15 million bitumen import/export facility will help maximise the refinery’s bitumen production increasing production from 100 million tonnes to a potential 180 million tonnes allowing it to export product to other Australian states and displace imports.
$23 million gasoline tank
- The $23 million gasoline tank will be 20 metres high, 45 metres in diameter and with a capacity to store 25 million litres of gasoline – the equivalent of 10 Olympic swimming pools.
- The tank will increase Viva Energy’s ability to store refined gasoline efficiently.
Newport terminal jet fuel tank
- A new jet fuel tank is currently being built at Newport terminal which will double the storage capacity for jet fuel at the terminal and further add to supply security for one of Australia’s busiest airports.
About Geelong Refinery
Built in 1954, the Geelong Refinery has been an integral part of the Geelong community for more than 60-years. It is a key driver of Victoria’s economy, supplying more than half of the State’s fuel requirements, employing about 700 people and spending more than $200 million each year in wages and procurement of services.
The Geelong Refinery has a capacity to refine 120,000 barrels of oil per day to produce petrol, diesel, jet fuel, bitumen, LPG, propylene, solvents, avgas and marine fuel oil. Crude oils and feedstock for the refinery come from a variety of sources including locally from Bass Strait, the Otways and the Cooper Basin, as well as internationally from Asia, the Middle East and occasionally West Africa. The addition of the new 100ML crude oil tank will increase the refinery’s production capabilities, increase flexibility to blend crude oils and reduce costs by enabling ships to fully unload at the refinery.
About Viva Energy
Viva Energy is the exclusive licensee to the Shell brand in Australia and was launched in 2014. In addition to its 950 plus Shell branded service station network and its Geelong Refinery (VIC), Viva Energy operates aviation, bitumen, marine, chemicals and lubricants businesses supported by more than 20 storage terminals across the country. Visit www.vivaenergy.com.au
Watch video of the crude oil tank construction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEfxjwoAu6o