Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 July 2014
162. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the possible sale of the strategic energy assets of the crude oil and refined products storage terminal based on Whiddy Island, Bantry Bay, and the oil refinery based at Whitegate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31963/14]
View answerCommercial transactions involving privately owned assets are matters for the parties to such transactions and are not matters in which I, as Minister, have any role or function. However, I am aware that Phillips 66, the current owners of the refinery, confirmed in mid-2013 that they had commenced a process to market their Irish business with the process expected to last for several months, during which time the company would operate on a business as usual basis.
Phillips 66 updates my Department from time to time on significant developments regarding the sale process. The company confirmed earlier in 2014 that they are no longer marketing the Whitegate refinery but are continuing to market the Whiddy Island oil storage facilities.
Phillips 66 have further indicated that they are continuing to run the refinery on a business as usual basis. They are currently undertaking a planned maintenance regime known as a refinery turnaround. Turnarounds are significant events usually undertaken approximately once every 5 years.
Neither I nor my officials are aware of any other significant developments concerning the sale process at the present time.
