Viva Energy plans to begin designing LNG terminal before end of 2020

The owner of Australia’s second-largest refinery had said in June it wanted to diversify earnings at its Geelong refinery site in Victoria, beginning with a LNG import terminal.

Chief Executive Scott Wyatt acknowledged in a statement that the refining business had been very challenging throughout 2020 so far and warned that margins would remain “uncertain and challenging” over the remainder of the year and 2021.

Wyatt added that operating losses in the refining business were “unsustainable” and that Viva was continually assessing the short- and long-term viability of this part of the business.

His comments came as Viva reported a near 33% drop in first-half underlying net profit after tax on a replacement cost basis to AUS$34.3 million (US$24.6 million), as fuel demand was battered due to the coronavirus crisis.

The company also confirmed its intention to return all remaining proceeds from the divestment of its interest in Waypoint REIT to shareholders, including a capital return and special dividend worth AUS$530 million.

Read the article online at: https://www.tanksterminals.com/terminals/17082020/viva-energy-plans-to-begin-designing-lng-terminal-before-end-of-2020/