Despite refinery closures such as Caltex Australia closing its Kurnell, Sydney refinery in 2014 when the site becomes a fuel import terminal, the retail petrol market is looking upbeat with new and established brands making big investments and rolling out new formats and products across the country.
These include new players Puma Energy, Vitol (Viva Energy/Shell), and Costco that will shake up the market, and established brands BP Australia, Caltex Australia, Coles Express, Woolworths, and Mobil (partnering 7-Eleven).
BP Australia is closing its Bulwer Island, Brisbane refinery, but is still Australia’s biggest refiner through the Kwinana, WA facility.
BP’s Australasian head of country, Mr Andy Holmes, announced BP’s $2.3 billion investment program in the downstream business over five years, said that BP has confidence in the BP, BP Ultimate, Wild Bean Cafe, and Castrol brands.
“The tough decisions BP has made are about making BP ‘match fit’ to stay on the playing field in Australia. We see Australia as a growing market – and BP wants to grow with it,” Mr Holmes said.
ExxonMobil supplies over 400, 7-Eleven sites in Australia and has recently re-introduced the Mobil brand at most 7-Eleven sites on the prime sign and on the pumps.
ExxonMobil is currently launching a new line of five fuel products at 7-Eleven. “The Victorian rollout of new fuel products is expected to be complete by the end of the month, with NSW and Queensland to commence before the end of the year.” ExxonMobil said.