Royal Vopak, Greenergy, and Shell UK Limited have reached agreement today with the joint administrators of Petroplus Refining & Marketing Limited, to purchase assets of the former Coryton refinery. The three companies plan to develop and invest in a state-of-the-art import and distribution terminal to be managed by Vopak. The initial storage capacity will be around 500,000 cubic meters (cbm), with potential to expand to up to 1 million cbm in later stages.
Vopak, Greenergy and Shell will be equal shareholders of the new joint venture, which will acquire and develop the assets and the site. After reaching final agreement on the future design and operational capabilities, Vopak, on behalf of the joint venture, will execute the development of this new facility and will operate the terminal when the works have been completed. Greenergy and Shell will sign long-term contracts with the joint venture. The deep water import terminal will play an important role in ensuring a secure supply of oil products to the UK, enabling large import volumes.
The investment will be used to convert components of the current refinery infrastructure for use as a class-leading import terminal and this will involve operational, technical, safety and environmental enhancements to the current infrastructure, including modern blending technology.
Eelco Hoekstra, Chairman of the Executive Board of Vopak: “Following the developments in the refining industry in the current market, we look forward to teaming up with our partners Greenergy and Shell and developing this facility into a state-of-the-art import and distribution terminal at this strategic location, ensuring safe and efficient operations for the UK market.”
Andrew Owens, Greenergy Chief Executive: “This investment will create the UK’s first deep water fuel import terminal, making it possible to bring in diesel economically from the most modern refineries anywhere in the world. With diesel sales continuing to grow ahead of petrol sales in the UK, this is a vital development to ensure a low cost and reliable fuel supply for the British motorist in the years ahead.”
Graham van ’t Hoff, Chairman, Shell UK: “This move will provide a long term, secure supply for our customers in the UK and will support the recent expansion of our retail network, delivering competitive supply chain costs.”
Company profiles
Royal Vopak
Royal Vopak is the world's largest independent tank storage service provider, specialized in the storage and handling of liquid chemicals, gasses and oil products. The company operates 84 terminals with a combined storage capacity of more than 28 million cubic meters in 31 countries. The terminals are strategically located for users along the major shipping routes. The majority of its customers are companies operating in the chemical and oil industries, for which Vopak stores a large variety of products destined for a wide range of industries. www.vopak.com
Greenergy
Greenergy is a major supplier of petrol and diesel to oil companies, supermarkets, bus and haulage companies, primarily in Britain. Last year (April 2011 to April 2012) it supplied 10.9 billion litres of fuel, equivalent to more than fifth of all the road fuel in the UK. In order to supply its customers more efficiently, Greenergy has made a number of infrastructure investments in the UK over the past five years. These have included new import and manufacturing facilities at Vopak sites on the Thames estuary and in Teesside, as well as new storage facilities in Cardiff and Plymouth. At Immingham on the east coast of England, Greenergy also owns and operates the largest wastebased biodiesel production facility in Europe. www.greenergy.com
Royal Dutch Shell plc
Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 80 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects. For further information, visit www.shell.com