Australia's Viva to shut some Geelong refinery units
Australian refiner and marketer Viva Energy has started preparations to shut the residual catalytic cracker (RFCC) and associated processing units at its 128,000 b/d Geelong refinery in Victoria from early May.
Work is also planned on the smaller crude distillation unit (CDU) at the plant, although the refinery's main CDU and all other processing units will continue to operate.
Viva expects refining intake to be reduced to about 2.5mn bl/month (81,000) b/d, subject to normal refining optimisation decisions. This would be a 31pc decline from the average crude intake of 117,000 b/d in January-March and 32pc below the 2019 average of 120,000 b/d.
Geelong has reduced run rates over the last month because of lower fuel demand amid the Covid-19 outbreak, Viva said, without giving details.
Viva does not expect any disruption to fuel supply. The financial impact is likely to be immaterial, after taking into account the cost efficiencies that would flow from not operating the units, it said.
The company is reviewing plans for a major maintenance turnaround of the RFCC and associated units that is currently scheduled from late August to October. It expects to announce the outcome of its review before the end of June. The preparations to shut down the RFCC do not affect this review, it said.
Australia is facing a significant decline in demand for transportation fuels due to the impact of Covid-19, which has particularly hit [jet fuel demand] (https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2089817).
By Kevin Morrison
source: Argus Media
Top News
Five last month
Two last year
US Energy Dept finalizes $2.26bn loan for Lithium Americas’ Nevada mine
Abandoned copper mines embraced as fast track to boost output
Solidcore to buy 55% stake in Kazakhstan’s Syrymbet tin deposit for $82.5m
Mercuria eyes equity in African assets, new metals boss says
Glencore posts lower metals output for first nine months, reiterates outlook
Gold price surge adds glitter to tarnished miners
Traders see gold as a surefire bet as coin-toss election looms
Anglo American sells Australian coal JV stake for $1.1 billion
Gold price shows little reaction to jobs data
St Barbara raises $73m to fast-track Simberi sulphide production
Copper price sees biggest drop since May as Trump’s win boosts dollar
Sibanye agrees wage deal for its gold operations, union says
China’s industry ministry plans to step up lithium, cobalt, nickel exploration
Liberty Gold advances Black Pine project permitting
China zinc smelter group sets processing fees for Q1 2025
Brazil prepares to remove illegal Amazon gold miners from Munduruku land
Anglo American sells Australian coal JV stake for $1.1 billion
Solidcore to buy 55% stake in Kazakhstan’s Syrymbet tin deposit for $82.5m
Ecuador to reopen mining register for first time in over six years
St Barbara raises $73m to fast-track Simberi sulphide production
Copper price sees biggest drop since May as Trump’s win boosts dollar
Sibanye agrees wage deal for its gold operations, union says
China’s industry ministry plans to step up lithium, cobalt, nickel exploration
China zinc smelter group sets processing fees for Q1 2025
Brazil prepares to remove illegal Amazon gold miners from Munduruku land
Anglo American sells Australian coal JV stake for $1.1 billion
Solidcore to buy 55% stake in Kazakhstan’s Syrymbet tin deposit for $82.5m
Ecuador to reopen mining register for first time in over six years