History

Due to the comparatively small size of our oil market, fuels were originally imported into New Zealand by the oil companies. However in 1956, a review of oil prices saw the Government investigate the viability of a New Zealand refinery.

Marsden Point was chosen as the site for the refinery because of its convenient deep-water harbour close to the main North Island markets, low earthquake risk and the availability of considerable land adjacent to the site.

Building began in 1962 and the refinery was officially opened on 30 May 1964 by the Prime Minister, Keith Holyoake. The first export cargo of refined product left the refinery on June 1 followed by the first domestic cargo on June 12.

The refinery was substantially expanded and upgraded in the mid-1980s to accommodate increased production. Extra tanks, utility supplies and environmental treatment units were built, along with a 170-kilometre pipeline to Auckland and the Wiri terminal. This pipeline is called the RAP (Refinery to Auckland Pipeline).

At the height of the expansion project, an estimated 5000 contractors were working on site with the final cost coming in at NZ$1.84 billion.

In 1988 the energy industry was deregulated, following the introduction of the Petroleum Sector Reform Act in December 1987. New processing agreements with the oil companies and improved operational performance have since seen the refinery maintain a strong, cost-competitive position in this deregulated market.

In 1999 we established New Zealand’s largest fuel testing laboratory, the Independent Petroleum Laboratory Ltd, of which we own 75 percent. This business has been set up to cater not only for the refinery’s increasing needs, but also for a wide range of local and international customers and government agencies.

Now, with our $180 million ‘Future Fuels’ upgrade, we are able to remove sulphur from diesel and benzene from petrol, delivering significantly cleaner fuels to New Zealand consumers for generations to come.

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