This week Viva Energy will take delivery of key elements of its new ultra-low sulphur gasoline (ULSG) plant as Geelong Refinery undergoes its biggest upgrade in decades.
This $350m investment in Australian manufacturing, including a contribution from the Australian Government, will allow the refinery to produce the cleanest petrol ever made in Australia.
“Making these sulphur reductions in petrol more closely aligns Australia’s fuel quality with international standards, allowing more fuel-efficient vehicles to come here, and providing Australians with health, environmental and economic benefits,” Viva Energy said.
The units being delivered this week are up to 28 metres tall, with the largest weighing nearly 900 tons. They are being delivered by ship and will arrive at Lascelles Wharf on 26 November.
Over several days, the units will be transported by barge from Lascelles Wharf to a landing ramp next to Refinery Jetty before being transported by SPMT (Self-Propelled Modular Transport) units to their final location near the refinery flare. The largest unit, a 900-ton production module, will be delivered on 4 December.
Completion of the ULSG plant is planned for 2H 2025, in time to meet the new petrol standards that take effect from 15 December.
This refinery upgrade is part of a pipeline of significant projects that Viva Energy is delivering in Geelong. In October, Viva Energy commissioned three 30 million litre diesel storage tanks to help deliver fuel security in Australia. Early next year it will commission a renewable hydrogen refuelling station as part of the Viva Energy Hub.
Viva Energy is also investigating processing alternative feedstocks in the refinery such as used cooking oil, canola and tallow, which could see it producing lower carbon fuels in support of the government’s Future Made in Australia program.
The refinery’s critical infrastructure could also provide a circular pathway to recycle waste soft plastics which could be processed through the refinery and adjacent polypropylene plant.
These projects all form part of the Viva Energy Hub, which will play an important role in delivering cleaner fuels, supporting the nation’s fuel security, participating in the circular economy and preserving Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability.
Details
- The ULSG plant will produce the cleanest petrol ever manufactured in Australia, with sulphur content of less than 10 parts per million.
- The ULSG plant is a $350m project, which includes a $125m contribution from the Australian Government through its Refinery Upgrade Program, part of the Fuel Security Package.
- $200m of the entire budget is going into Australian procurement and construction contracts, with the majority of that going to businesses in the Geelong region.
- Up to 300 people will be employed during the peak of construction activity.
- The project means Geelong Refinery will produce petrol that complies with the Australian Government’s new fuel quality standards that come into effect on December 15, 2025.
- The introduction of these new fuel standards in Australia means vehicle manufacturers will be able to import vehicles with the latest, most fuel-efficient technology.
- You can find out more about changes to Australian fuel quality here: gov.au/climate-change/emissions-reduction/regulating-fuel-quality
- The transport ship is called the RollDock Storm, a 15,000-tonne Heavy Load Carrier based in Netherlands.
Road closures
Closure 1: 26 November – 5 December
Shell Parade will be closed to general traffic between the Refinery Jetty and the School Road roundabout.
Traffic management will control local traffic to Foreshore Road with Shell Parade closed to all traffic south of Foreshore Road.
Heavy vehicles may detour via Princes Highway and St Georges Road.
Closure 2: 15 January – 26 January (TBC)
Shell Parade will be closed to general traffic between the Refinery Jetty and the School Road roundabout.
Traffic management will control local traffic to Foreshore Road with Shell Parade closed to all traffic south of Foreshore Road.
Heavy vehicles may detour via Princes Highway and St Georges Road.
All road furniture and signage will be reinstated prior to the reopening of Shell Parade.
