New manager for Viva Refinery Geelong

VIVA Energy has appointed Bill Patterson as the new general manager of its Geelong Refinery.

Mr Patterson is a chemical engineer with more than 20 years experience in the energy industry, including several roles at the Geelong Refinery where he started his career.

He worked for Shell and later Viva Energy in roles that have taken him from Australia to Oman and Singapore, and was most recently chief executive officer of Liberty Rural, Viva Energy’s regional and rural fuel business.

Mr Patterson will support Dale Cooper, who is overseeing delivery of a slate of development projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars at the refinery over the next 18 months.

These projects – including three 30-million-litre diesel storage tanks, the Ultra Low Sulphur Gasoline plant, a renewable hydrogen refuelling station and a refinery turnaround planned for 2025 – will allow it to produce cleaner fuels and contribute to Australia’s energy security.

“I’m excited to be back at the refinery where I began my career back in 2001,” Mr Patterson said.

“And it is pleasing to know that Dale will be here to oversee delivery of these critical projects that represent a huge investment in Geelong’s economy and the future of the refinery, positioning the facility as a key player in the energy transition.”

Mr Patterson said he was attracted to the refinery as a young person because it was big, complicated and played an important role in Victoria’s energy system.

“Like so many others, I found it was a great place to work while I learnt new skills, and I hope that it will continue to provide opportunities to other generations for years to come,” he said.

“I am very proud of what we do at the refinery in Geelong, producing fuels and other vital products which are supplied to every state in the country.

“We play a big role in Australia’s energy security – our ability to turn raw materials into high-quality products means we are providing resilience to the nation’s fuel supply chains while keeping value-add and skilled jobs onshore.”

Mr Patterson said the energy transition presented important opportunities for Geelong.

“Our refinery in Corio is at the centre of our plans for the Viva Energy Hub, giving us the jump on emerging prospects,” he said.

“Construction of our renewable hydrogen refuelling station is already well advanced and we are committed to electrification of key parts of the refinery to reduce our emissions.

“We are working with Cleanaway to investigate the potential for reprocessing waste plastics through the refinery, that could see the production of lower carbon fuels, recycled food-grade plastic and a reduction in the amount of waste going to landfill.”