Northern Oil Refining – announced by Andrew Fraser
J.J. Richards / December 08, 2011
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
02/12/2011
Oil recycling plant to create jobs and reduce carbon footprint
A new $30 million oil recycling plant to be built in Gladstone will reduce carbon emissions and create 30 new green jobs, Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser announced today.
The Southern Oil Refineries plant will process waste lubricant oil from mining and agricultural machinery, transport vehicles and cars and refine it into usable lubricant base oil.
At full capacity the facility has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by at least 320,000 tonnes per year by providing an alternative to burning used oil and reducing the need for new oil extraction.
Mr Fraser visited the Gladstone site for the facility with Southern Oil Refineries Managing Director Mr Tim Rose.
“With a mining industry that accounts for 15 per cent of our economy and one of the nation’s biggest infrastructure programs, Queensland is the largest consumer of lubricant oil in Australia,” Mr Fraser said.
“That’s why this investment is not only great news for our major industries and our regional economies, but also great news for our environment. What’s more, this refinery will hopefully encourage more than just local oil recycling, with the added potential to import waste oil from nearby countries and refine it into a higher value, usable product”.
Mr Fraser said the Queensland Government, through its Trade and Investment Queensland arm, had fought hard to bring this investment to Queensland, edging out other states for the $30 million investment.
“The Premier and I met with Southern Oil Refineries on our recent investment tour in Sydney, where we worked toward securing this project for Queensland,” Mr Fraser said.
Mr Rose said he looked forward to the mutually beneficial opportunities the new Queensland refinery will bring.
“With carbon pricing commencing in July 2012, our new plant will allow mining companies to reduce their carbon footprint and subsequent tax obligations,” Mr Rose said.
“Originally we were looking to build a 50 million litre facility, but once we realised the opportunities in Queensland, we decided to double the size. The process of re-refining oil uses state-of-the-art technology, so it’s cleaner and better for the environment than conventional oil refining”.
Construction of the refinery will commence in early 2012, with plans to be operational in 2013.
Media contact: Deputy Premier’s office – 3224 5982
