Archive, Industry News

Shell says fuel price safe from refinery plan

Move to an import terminal at Sydney's 'uncompetitive' Clyde operation will have 'no impact'

By Rob McKay | April 13, 2011

Shell Australia insists there will be no change in the retail price of fuel in New South Wales if its plan to convert its Clyde Refinery and Gore Bay Terminal in Sydney into a fuel import terminal goes ahead.

The reassurance will be welcome to the industry.

The New South Wales branch of the Australian Trucking Association says any further increase in high fuel prices “would have a devastating effect” on its members.

But a Shell spokesman says such a move would have “no impact on fuel pricing” as that was pegged to international benchmarks plus freight and wharfage.

If accepted by the relevant Shell Australia boards, the proposal would see the end to refining operations at the site, with Clyde converted to a competitive fuel import terminal.

Shell says the 75,000 barrel per day Clyde Refinery is no longer competitive against new mega-refineries in the region – and requires significant investment including a maintenance turnaround scheduled for mid 2013.

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