Five redundant refinery stacks will be demolished this weekend via controlled explosive techniques at Viva Energy Australia’s (“Viva Energy”) fuel terminal located in Parramatta. This represents the end-of-an-era for refining at the site and a step forward in becoming a world-class fuel import and storage facility.
Viva Energy’s Engineering Manager, Vince Neville, said the demolition event was part of a conversion project to demolish and remove redundant refining infrastructure, as well as other works to improve the terminal’s operational capability.
“Clyde, as a refinery and more recently as a fuel import terminal, has been supplying fuel to Sydney since 1926 and is a critical part of the fuel supply chain that keeps the NSW economy moving. Our Sydney fuel terminal supplies about 40 per cent of the State’s fuel needs,” said Vince.
“The safety of employees and the community is top of mind – meticulous planning for this event has included extensive consultation with statutory Government departments, regulators, local council, police and emergency services,” he said.
“We understand that many people will be interested the event; however neither Viva Energy nor NSW Police encourages community members to seek to obtain vantage points.”
“Liberty Industrial was engaged to manage the project and they identified controlled explosive techniques as the safest method to demolish the stacks.”
Liberty’s founding Director, Clinton Dick, said the project team, including experienced explosive demolition experts, structural engineers and a licensed shot firer, carefully engineered the demolition methodology.
“Safety is our priority - we’ve been preparing for this for six months so this gives the public a good insight into how much care and attention goes into the planning,” said Clinton.
Viva Energy was launched following the purchase of the Shell Australia downstream business (excluding Aviation). It comprises the Geelong refinery, a 900+ site-retail network and a bulk fuels, bitumen, marine, chemicals and lubricants business supported by more than 20 terminals across the country. Viva Energy is the exclusive licensee to the Shell brand in Australia.
Stack Facts
- Two stacks are 80metres high and three are 100metres high.
- The average weight of each stack is ~1000 tons.
- Each stack was connected to refinery processing units (now demolished).
Demolition Facts
- Each blast will be two seconds apart. It will take about 30 seconds for the five stacks to fall.
- A large area has been cleared to allow a clear path for the structures to fall.
- All stacks have been internally inspected and all hazardous material removed. This activity was reviewed and approved by independent consultants.
- For additional safety, stacks are wrapped with cyclone fencing and geo-fabric, in addition to thick steel plating.
- Some noise and vibration is expected; however, this will be for a very short time period. An independent vibration study expects ground vibrations to be well below accepted limits.
- Extensive dust suppression measures are in place including large water fog cannons with a 200 metre throw.
ENDS
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Jessica Marriner, +61 428 750 875 E: Jessica.marriner@vivaenergy.com.au
“Viva Energy Australia is a Shell Licensee and uses Shell trademarks under license. The views expressed in this release or statement, are made by Viva Energy Australia and are not made on behalf of, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of, any company of the Shell Group of Companies.”