BP announced that it has agreed to renew its agreement with the Western Australian state government for a further 30 years, subject to parliamentary approval. The renewal of the agreement, which was due to expire in 2020, will enable the ongoing operation of Kwinana Refinery, Australia’s largest refinery and a significant contributor to the state economy. Kwinana Refinery employs more than 700 people and supplies more than 6 million tonnes of fuel each year to Western Australia, Tasmania and South Australia.

It has been introduced to the Western Australian parliament as a bill with modernised terms, including a focus on ensuring local businesses continue to have access to supply chain opportunities generated by the refinery.

“BP is proud of its long history of more than 60 years as part of the Kwinana community and working with local businesses, and is focussed on underpinning continued safe operations at the refinery,” said Des Gillen, refinery manager of BP’s Kwinana Refinery.

“The refinery is a vital strategic asset for Western Australia and the introduction of this bill to parliament is a sign of the government’s commitment to ongoing employment and energy security for the state and the country.”

BP Australia said it has committed to spending AUD80 million (USD61.3 million) in upcoming planned maintenance and investments in the refinery “to provide competitively priced fuels across the country.”

BP has also invested significantly in growing its retail fuels business over recent years, approximately AUD150 million (USD114.9 million) per annum. BP is one of the largest suppliers of fuel to Australia’s industrial sector and also has a network of some 1,400 retail service stations.

“We are leading the way in being the first fuels retailer to bring exclusive and innovative new offers to our customers in the Australian market,” said Brooke Miller, BP’s vice president, Sales and Marketing, Australia.