The planned NZ$15 million catalyst and maintenance shutdown is scheduled to run until the third week of May and will involve an additional peak workforce of about 450.
New Zealand Refining Company, which owns and operates the refinery, has reported an average gross refining margin of NZ$10.53 for January and February, compared with NZ$5.65 for the same time in 2003. Throughput for the period was 6.52 million barrels, up from 6.47 million barrels in 2003, and the final fee was NZ$43.7 million, up from NZ$29.1 million.
The Shell, BP, ExxonMobil and Caltex companies own about 73% of the shares of NZRC and the refinery, south of Whangarei, produces about 66% of this country’s petrol and 90% of its diesel.
