By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Apr. 21 -- New Zealand Refining Co. Ltd. (NZRC) has begun construction on a 35,000-b/d expansion of its 107,000-b/d Marsden Point refinery.
The company is adding the capacity by modifying a 90,000-b/d distillation tower. The project, scheduled for completion by yearend, will eliminate the need to import resid as supplemental feed for a 30,000-b/d hydrocracker.
The Marsden Point facility is New Zealand's only refinery.
In February, NZRC said one of its four major-company shareholders, Shell New Zealand Holding Co. Ltd., was reviewing ownership options, which might include divestment of its 17% interest.
Other major-company shareholders are BP New Zealand Holdings Ltd. 24%, Mobil Oil NZ Ltd. 19%, and Chevron New Zealand 13%.
The international companies are NZRC's largest customers.
