Shell Geelong refinery to close

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by CoupeXB

The pipeline works at Avalon had nothing to do with the airport. A pipeline has run from the Corio refinery to Newport since the 1950's. In 2004 it was discoved that fuel had been leaking from the pipe undetected for a number of years near Avalon. Shell have spent millions buying the contaminated farmland and trying to pump out the contaminated groundwater with network of bores hooked up to a treatment plant.
http://www.wetrocks.com.au/media/fil...Fuel_Spill.pdf

Mobil have a similar issue with the pipeline running from the Altona refinery to its Yarraville terminal. In 2006 the 1950's built pipeline was found to have leaked over the previous 2 years over 600000lt of fuel into a residential area of Newport.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/mo...204-1qyzh.html

Old article but shows the plan was in place, I don't know wether it was completed or even started though.

Shell, Avalon pipeline plan

Danny Lannen | February 17th, 2011






AVALON Airport and Shell Geelong Refinery have forged partnership as plans for a jet fuel pipeline between the neighbours take off.
Airport chief executive Justin Giddings hopes to see earthwork under way before the end of the year, heralding a new competitive era for the airport on domestic and international markets.

Planning of a $250 million Geelong-Melbourne rail link and station is also under way with mobilising of a Victorian Government working party.

Mr Giddings said the pipeline would be little more than one kilometre long but would bring lasting benefits.

``We're almost forming a partnership with Shell to deliver the outcome, and that's looking good,'' Mr Giddings said.

``It's very, very early stages but there's nothing to suggest it won't happen.

``By putting this pipeline in we're literally tying ourselves to Shell forever, so really we need them to survive and prosper and be able to deliver the fuel at reasonable price, but they need us to grow.''

Avalon will be seeking up to 50 million litres of fuel a year at the outset, hoping the volume would rapidly grow with securing of international flights and millions more passengers.

Direct piping would save up to 10 cents a litre by eliminating cost of transporting fuel from Melbourne and slice up to $17 off an international airfare.

Chiefs believe the cuts would make Avalon the most cost-effective airport in the nation.

Fuel is now piped from the refinery, through airport land to Melbourne and trucked back to Avalon.

Shell Geelong Refinery communications manager Joan McGovern said the newly-forged partnership would be positive.

``It will allow us to supply all of Avalon's fuel which is really important. The other thing is it will give the airport support for international trade and I think a big benefit too, it will take trucks off the road.''

The Victorian Government has backed building of the pipeline and formed a rail link project group, with work fulfilling a pre-election pledge.

``I must say everything seems to be on track, they've been very positive about it,'' Mr Giddings said.

``There's been a lot of discussion, a lot of design meetings.''