Oil Refinery Plans At Marsden Point

Press, Volume C, Issue 29507, 8 May 1961, Page 14

Oil Refinery Plans At Marsden Point

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 7.

Although the stage for calling tenders for New Zealand’s oil refinery to be established on Marsden Point, Whangarei, had not been reached, the project specification book of some 200 pages was now ready to send out to contractors.

Announcing this today, the general manager of the New Zealand Refinery Company (Mr Carney) said that the operations of the company were highly specialised and the construction of the refinery could only be carried out by international contractors.

What he believed would happen was that a group of 10 of these contractors would, by a process of elimination, select three companies which would be asked to tender for the project.

Tenders would be only for the refinery. A separate tender would be called for the harbour development. The stage for calling for refinery tenders was about two months away. Harbour works would be done by the company and the work let as a separate contract. A detailed design of the harbour work was being dene in the company’s office in Holland and should be complete in from four to five months’. Contractors, other than those interested in the refinery, would be asked to tender for the harbour works.

Mr Carney said the area for the £2O million refinery would cover some 40 acres which had been grocused by the Government and would be leased to the company. In the initial stages only half of the land would be developed to accommodate plant and the remainder would be reserved for future extensions which would be made to conform with the country’s industrial development. Domestic Market As far as could be foreseen it would be the com-

piny’s aim to gear its production solely for the domestic market. It was possible, however, that a small surplus of fuel oil might be exported. Production would be limited to premium and regular grades of petrol, automotive and industrial diesel oils and bunker oils. The production of greases or lubricants was not being contemplated.

When the refinery came into operation at the beginning of 1964 it would have a staff of about 200 permanent employees. Initially it was planed to bring in expatriate personnel to start up and run the refinery and to train local staff. Two New Zealanders, a mechanical engineer and a chemical engineer, had recently been sent to Melbourne for training for two years. At a later date other New Zealanders would be sent overseas for similar training. Discussing sources of supply of crude oil that would be required. Mr Carney said that a specific source depended on the world supply situation, prices and current exploration. He said permanent offices at Whangarei would be established in about four months