ExxonMobil secures planning permission for £800m investment

ExxonMobil’s plan to increase the production of ultra-low sulphur diesel at its Fawley refinery has secured planning permission. It gives the green light to an £800m investment, with construction to begin in late 2019.

The firm announced in April an investment decision to expand the Fawley refinery to increase production by almost 45%, or 38,000 barrels per day, along with logistics improvements.

ExxonMobil has secured planning permission to expand its Fawley refinery enabling an £800m investment / Picture: ExxonMobil

In April, Simon Downing, Fawley Refinery Manager, said: “This latest significant investment supports the long-term competitiveness of Fawley, Britain’s largest integrated refinery and petrochemical plant. It also reflects ExxonMobil’s strong and continued presence in the UK. Major investments like this require a stable and supportive policy framework and we will continue to work with the Government to ensure the long term competitiveness of the site.”

The investment will help reduce the need to import diesel into the UK, which imported about half of its supply in 2017 and will include a hydrotreater unit to remove sulphur from diesel, supported by a hydrogen plant.

Following local planning approval this month, construction is scheduled to begin in late 2019 and startup is expected in 2021. At its peak, building activity is also expected to support up to 1,000 construction jobs.

Located on Southampton Water, the Fawley site also has strategic access to distribution logistics across southern England and export access to other markets in Europe and the Atlantic basin.