Shell to sell downstream businesses in Australia to Vitol for $2.6 bn

Shell has entered into a binding agreement to sell its Australia downstream businesses (excluding Aviation) to the Dutch firm Vitol for a total transaction value of approximately A$ 2.9 billion ($2.6 billion). The sale covers Shell’s Geelong Refinery and 870-site retail business - along with its bulk fuels, bitumen, chemicals and part of its lubricants businesses in Australia. It also includes a brand license arrangement and an exclusive distributor arrangement in Australia for Shell Lubricants.
 
It does not include the Aviation business, which will remain with Shell Group, or the lube oil blending and grease plants in Brisbane, which will be converted to bulk storage and distribution facilities.  The majority of Shell’s downstream staff in Australia will continue to operate the business under its new owner.
 
Shell’s upstream operations in Australia, in which it will continue to invest, are not impacted by this announcement.
 
Ben van Beurden, Shell’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Australia remains important to Shell, but we are making tough portfolio choices to improve the company’s overall competitiveness. Our customers will continue to benefit from the quality associated with the Shell brand and we are confident Vitol will invest in and grow the business.”
 
Ian Taylor, President and CEO, Vitol, said, “This is an exciting acquisition for us, a good company led by an experienced management team and underpinned by the value of the Shell brand. Australia is a growing economy and we look forward to working with the management team to strengthen and grow the business.”
 
The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in 2014.
 
Recent downstream divestments by Shell include the sale of refineries in the UK, Germany, France, Norway and the Czech Republic; downstream businesses in Egypt, Spain, Greece, Finland and Sweden, as well as the creation of a downstream joint venture – with Vitol and other partners – across Africa, and the planned sale of some downstream businesses in Italy and Norway.