'Breathing space' for Coryton oil refinery

A cargo of oil has been delivered to the Coryton oil refinery, according to administers at PricewaterhouseCoopers, allowing for 'breathing space' in the crucial negotiations.

The refinery's Swiss owners Petroplus placed the plant into administration last week, however, there has been encouraging interest in the refinery, with more than 40 expressions of interest reported by the government.

Around 850 people work at the site that supplies 20 per cent of the fuel in London and the South East. The latest delivery will allow operations to continue as negotiations with new investors ensue.

UK energy minister Charles Hendry said: "The deal that allowed petrol and diesel to be delivered to forecourts from the refinery was a crucial boost, while the crude oil delivery acquired on Tuesday was important to maintaining refining operations."

The news will be welcomed in Coryton, however, the Telegraph has recently reported that the trouble at Petroplus is just the latest problem, after a string of refinery shutdowns in the Atlantic Basin. Three refineries on the US East Coast were also closed, as well as the string of Petroplus closured in Europe.

Posted by Claire Manning