Operational Update for November – December 2021
NZX Release
24 January 2022
Operational Update for November - December 2021
COMMENTARY
Refining NZ’s excellent personal and process safety performance continued with no recordable injuries or
Tier 1 or 2 process safety events.
RAP throughput of 2.3 Mbbls was c.12% lower than the same period last year. This was primarily due to a
reduction in petrol demand caused by the Auckland border only opening in mid-December 2021 compared to
the COVID Level 1 restrictions that applied in November/December 2020. By year end, petrol volumes had
recovered close to pre-COVID levels and diesel volumes were above pre-COVID levels. The international
border closure continues to impact jet fuel demand significantly, with demand for the period at c.30% of pre-
COVID levels.
The November/December GRM was US$4.99/bbl, generating processing fee revenue (before Fee Floor
adjustments) of NZ$27.2 million, or NZ$23.6 million after Fee Floor adjustments to repay Fee Floor
payments from earlier in the year. Singapore Dubai complex margins for the November/December period
averaged US$0.56/bbl, impacted by the uncertainty around the Omicron COVID-19 variant. Refining NZ’s
GRM uplift over the Singapore margin was US$4.42/bbl, impacted by the export of jet fuel, petrol and fuel oil
during the period to help manage stocks, following reduced New Zealand product demand.
The Company has delivered cash neutral operations across the full year, including Strategic Review
restructuring and implementation costs, with December net debt closing at NZ$184 million (compared to
$230 million as at 31 October 2021) following the equity raise of approximately $48.5m. The equity raising
was successfully completed as a $39 million underwritten placement and a $9.5 million Share Purchase
Plan, and will enable the Company to pursue complementary growth through private storage services.
In November, the Company finalised long-term agreements with its three existing customers (bp, Mobil, Z
Energy) for the provision of import terminal services and the Board made the Final Investment Decision to
HIGHLIGHTS
• Excellent personal and process safety performance continued with no recordable injuries or Tier 1 or 2
process safety events.
• RAP volumes were c.12% lower than the same period last year due to Auckland’s lockdowns and border
restrictions for most of the period.
• Processing Fee revenue was NZ$23.6 million including Fee Floor adjustments, NZ$27.2 million prior to
adjustments.
• December’s net debt closed at NZ$184 million, following the equity raise in December of c.$48.5m. The
Company continues to operate cash neutral operations at the Fee Floor.
• Finalised long-term agreements with customers for the provision of import terminal services and satisfied
lender conditions precedent for conversion funding and lender consents.
• Refinery run-down plans and upgrades to terminal facilities are underway in preparation for the
conversion of the Marsden Point site from refinery to import terminal operations from April 2022.
Page 2 of 6
proceed with the conversion and a name change to Channel Infrastructure NZ Limited (NZX:CHI) to align
with the commencement of import terminal operations from April 2022. The Company has also satisfied the
conditions precedent to lender consents and conversion funding. Refinery run-down plans and upgrades to
terminal facilities are underway in preparation for the conversion of the Marsden Point site from refinery to
import terminal operations.
As previously announced, this will be the final bi-monthly Operational Update. The Company will provide
quarterly updates on the conversion project through 2022, with the first quarterly report in April 2022.
- ENDS-
Authorised by:
Chris Bougen
General Counsel and Company Secretary
Media Contact:
Laura Malcolm
Communications Advisor
communications@refiningnz.com
+64 (0)21 0236 3297
About Channel Infrastructure NZ
Channel Infrastructure’s vision is to be New Zealand’s leading independent fuel infrastructure
company. It will utilise the deep-water harbour and jetty infrastructure of Marsden Point to import refined
fuel, owned by its customers. Fuel will be stored at the Marsden Point site in existing tanks at what will be
the largest fuel terminal in New Zealand, with 180 million litres of shared capacity, plus dedicated private
storage and capacity to provide additional storage. Channel Infrastructure will continue to provide quality fuel
testing services both at the Marsden Point site and around New Zealand, through its subsidiary, Independent
Petroleum Laboratory Limited.
Fuel from Marsden Point will be distributed on behalf of Channel Infrastructure’s customers primarily to the
Auckland and Northland markets, which make up around 40% of New Zealand’s fuel demand, through the
170-kilometre Refinery to Auckland Pipeline (the RAP) and the truck loading facility (the TLF) located
adjacent to the Marsden Point site.
Conversion to an import terminal will reduce the Company’s direct CO
2
emissions by almost one million
tonnes per annum, delivering around a third of the Governments’ first Emissions Reduction Budget
1
. The
RAP continues to provide the lowest carbon emissions option for delivering fuel to New Zealand’s largest
market – Auckland.
Refining NZ has been the country’s only oil refinery since it was established in 1961. In response to a
significant decline in refining margins because of excess refining capacity in the Asian region, Refining
NZ initiated a strategic review of the business in April 2020, to determine the optimal future business model
and capital structure for the Company’s future. This review included extensive engagement with a range of
stakeholders including customers and Government regarding potential options for ongoing refinery
operations and the potential conversion to import terminal operations.
For more information on Channel Infrastructure, please visit: https://www.refiningnz.com/what-is-channel-
infrastructure/
1
Reference: Transitioning to a low-emissions and climate-resilient future: emissions reduction plan discussion document
(https://environment.govt.nz/publications/emissions-reduction-plan-discussion-document/). The Company’s emissions are expected to
reduce by c. 3.5MT over the 2022 -2025 budget period.
Page 3 of 6
OPERATIONAL DATA
Appendix I 2021Nov/DecNov/DecFYFY
2021202020212020
Health, Safety & Environment
LTI
#
0000
LTIF
#/200,000hrs
--- -
TRC
#
0000
TRCF
#/200,000hrs
--- -
Tier I Process Safety Events
#
0020
Tier II Process Safety Events
#
0000
Releases outside of consent
#
12105
Refining
Brent Crude Oil Price
US$/bbl
77.846.370.741.7
Exchange Rate
US$/NZ$
0.690.700.710.65
Operational availability
%
98.799.695.798.2
Unplanned process downtime
%
1.51.70.323.2
Refining throughput
Mbbl
5.386.4629.2129.88
Gross Refining Margin
US$/bbl
4.993.243.731.63
Gross Refining Margin
US$M
23.324.5142.1131.6
(including Fee Floor/Margin Cap)
Processing Fee (including Fee Floor/Margin Cap)
US$M
16.317.299.592.1
Processing fee (including Fee Floor/Margin Cap)
NZ$M
23.624.6140.6141.6
Distribution
RAP throughput
Mbbl
2.32.613.414.7
Note s :
1) The i nforma ti on provi de d i n thi s a nnounce me nt e xcl ude s Re ve nue from othe r a cti vi ti e s .
2) The Proce s s i ng Fe e re s ul ts re porte d i n thi s a nnounce me nt a re s ubje ct to cha nge due to pos t a nnounce me nt pri ce
upda tes a nd i ndependent a udi t.
3) A fi ve -ye a r hi s tory of Throughput, Ma rgi ns a nd Proce s s i ng Fe e s i s a tta che d be l ow.
4) Re fe r to the e xpl a na tory note s /gl os s a ry for a de fi ni ti on of te rms .
Page 4 of 6
HISTORICAL INFORMATION - REFINING
Appendix II 2021
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Ja n/Fe b
Ba rre l s 000's
7,160
7,011
6,963
6,909
4,429
RNZ USD GRM pe r ba rre l
1)
6.58
7.54
4.88
1.04
3.48
Si nga pore Duba i Compl e x GRM
3.42
3.37
-0.32
-1.58
-1.56
Upl i ft vs . Si nga pore Duba i Compl e x
3)
3.16
4.17
5.20
2.62
5.04
NZD Proce s s i ng Fe e (mi l l i on)
2)
45.9
50.8
34.9
23.0
22.6
Ma r/Apr
Ba rre l s 000's
5,140
6,958
7,312
4,656
3,451
RNZ USD GRM pe r ba rre l
1)
9.35
6.82
6.63
0.67
1.50
Si nga pore Duba i Compl e x GRM
3.02
3.75
0.75
0.19
-1.99
Upl i ft vs . Si nga pore Duba i Compl e x
3)
6.33
3.07
5.88
0.48
3.50
NZD Proce s s i ng Fe e (mi l l i on)
2)
48.1
45.8
50.1
23.7
23.5
Ma y/Jun
Ba rre l s 000's
7,755
3,910
6,945
3,867
5,171
RNZ USD GRM pe r ba rre l
1)
7.63
0.18
4.36
4.59
4.07
Si nga pore Duba i Compl e x GRM
2.90
2.02
0.17
-3.78
-2.62
Upl i ft vs . Si nga pore Duba i Compl e x
3)
4.73
-1.84
4.19
8.37
6.68
NZD Proce s s i ng Fe e (mi l l i on)
2)
58.4
0.7
32.2
23.3
23.5
Jul /Aug
Ba rre l s 000's
7,511
7,615
7,419
1,766
5,644
RNZ USD GRM pe r ba rre l
1)
8.87
6.86
7.10
-4.18
2.96
Si nga pore Duba i Compl e x GRM
4.70
2.57
3.23
-2.46
-2.54
Upl i ft vs . Si nga pore Duba i Compl e x
3)
4.17
4.29
3.87
-1.73
5.49
NZD Proce s s i ng Fe e (mi l l i on)
2)
63.6
54.3
56.2
23.7
23.9
Se pt/Oct
Ba rre l s 000's
6,816
7,639
7,245
6,219
5,136
RNZ USD GRM pe r ba rre l
1)
9.31
7.09
6.16
1.15
4.62
Si nga pore Duba i Compl e x GRM
4.73
2.47
3.55
-1.64
0.70
Upl i ft vs . Si nga pore Duba i Compl e x
3)
4.58
4.62
2.61
2.79
3.92
NZD Proce s s i ng Fe e (mi l l i on)
2)
62.2
57.8
49.3
23.3
23.5
Nov/De c
Ba rre l s 000's
7,342
7,307
6,803
6,459
5,382
RNZ USD GRM pe r ba rre l
1)
6.83
6.53
2.62
3.24
4.99
Si nga pore Duba i Compl e x GRM
3.67
1.80
-1.55
-1.54
0.56
Upl i ft vs . Si nga pore Duba i Compl e x
3)
3.16
4.73
4.16
4.78
4.42
NZD Proce s s i ng Fe e (mi l l i on)
2)
50.7
49.2
19.2
24.6
23.6
Total
Barrels 000's
41,724
40,440
42,687
29,876
29,214
USD GRM per barrel
1)
8.02
6.31
5.34
1.63
3.73
NZD Processing Fee (million)
2)
328.9
258.7
242.0
141.6
140.6
1) Excl ude s Fe e Fl oor/Ca p a djus tme nt
2) I ncl ude s Fe e Fl oor/Ca p a djus tme nt
3) RNZ upl i ft vs . Si nga pore Duba i Compl e x GRM i s i n USD pe r ba rre l
Page 5 of 6
EXPLANATORY NOTES/GLOSSARY
Gross Refining Margin (excluding Fee Floor/Margin Cap)
The Gross Refining Margin is calculated in USD as the difference between the value of products and
the cost of feedstock for each refining customer. The value of products use Singapore quoted prices
adjusted for New Zealand quality and the cost of importing those products to New Zealand.
Feedstocks are valued using the notional market values adjusted for the cost of getting the feedstock
to the refinery. The Gross Refining Margin incorporates the cost of hydrocarbon used as fuel and
incurred as process losses.
Typically, Refining NZ has an uplift over the Singapore complex margins of around USD 3.00 to 4.00
per barrel. The value of the uplift varies due to fluctuations in freight rates, product quality
premium, crude market premium and operational performance. Product quality premium are the
cost differentials between products made to New Zealand quality and products made to the quality
that applies to quoted prices in Singapore. Crude market premium are the cost differences between
the crude types actually processed at Refining NZ and Dubai (used as basis for the Singapore
complex margins). Refining NZ’s crude diet comprises of crudes that price off Dubai as well as crudes
that price off different markers such as Brent. The fluctuations of these price markers relative to
each other impact the uplift.
Margin Cap/Fee Floor Adjustment
The processing agreements with our customers contain both Floor and Margin Cap clauses, both
effective over a full calendar year.
The Fee Floor is the minimum Processing Fee due, for a calendar year, up to a current maximum of
NZD140.5 million. If the year-to-date Processing Fee is below the pro-rata Fee Floor, then an interim
pro-rata Fee Floor payment is made by the Customers. Should the Processing Fee exceed the Fee
Floor in future months any pro-rata Fee Floor payments that have been made are repaid to the
Customers.
The Margin Cap limits the Gross Refining Margin for each customer to a maximum of USD9.00 per
barrel over the calendar year. Should the Gross Refining Margin fall below the Cap in future months
any pro-rata Cap reductions that have been made are repaid by the Customers.
The Cap and the Floor are subject to year-to-date adjustments.
Any balance remaining at the end of the year cannot be carried over to the next year.
Processing Fee (after Fee Floor/Margin Cap)
The Processing Fee is 70% of the Gross Refining Margin after any adjustment for the Margin Cap or
Fee Floor. The Processing Fee is paid by our customers in NZD.
RAP throughput
RAP throughput is the volume of refined products, comprising gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel that are
delivered via the Refinery to Auckland Pipeline (RAP) to the Wiri oil terminal.
Refining throughput
Refining throughput is the volume of feedstock intake, comprising crude oil, residues, natural gas
and blendstock, measured in barrels. One barrel equates to approximately 159 litres.
Turnaround
A scheduled outage of one or more process units, planned well in advance and typically occurring in
cycles of 2 years or more, for the purpose of significant mechanical inspection and repair
Page 6 of 6
EXPLANATORY NOTES/GLOSSARY (continued)
LTI (Lost time injuries) and LTIF (Lost time injury frequency)
Lost time injuries refer to fatalities, permanent disabilities or time lost from work.
Lost time injury frequency refers to the number of lost time injuries over a rolling 12-month period,
per 200,000 hours worked.
TRC (Total recordable cases) and TRCF (Total recordable case frequency)
Total recordable cases refer to lost time injuries, medical treatment, and restricted work cases.
Total recordable case frequency refers to the number of recordable injuries over a rolling 12-month
period, per 200,000 hours worked.
Tier 1 Process Safety Event (API 754)
A tier 1 Process Safety Event (PSE) is an unplanned or uncontrolled release of any material, including
non-toxic and non-flammable, from a process which results in one or more of the following: A LTI
and/or fatality; a fire or explosion resulting in greater than or equal to $100,000 of direct cost to the
company; a release of material greater than the threshold quantities given in Table 1 of API 754 in
any one-hour period; an officially declared community evacuation or community shelter-in-place.
Tier 2 Process Safety Event (API 754)
A tier 2 Process Safety Event (PSE) is an unplanned or uncontrolled release of any material, including
non-toxic and non-flammable, from a process which results in one or more of the following: A
recordable injury; a fire or explosion resulting in greater than or equal to $2,500 of direct cost to the
company; a release of material greater than the threshold quantities given in Table 2 of API 754 in
any one-hour period.
Operational availability
Operational availability is the percent of time available for manufacturing after subtracting
maintenance and regulatory/process downtimes.
Unplanned process downtime
A unit downtime is “planned” if the refinery is aware of and has scheduled that unit outage in the
previous year. Unplanned process downtime is the weighted average of unplanned downtime
across all process units.
Data sourced from publicly available filings. Our datasets may not be complete. Automated analysis can produce errors. If you believe any data on this page is incorrect, please contact us at hello@nzxplorer.co.nz. For informational purposes only. Not investment advice.
Other issuers discussed similar conditions around this time
Matched by meaning across NZX announcement text, not keywords — based on our semantic index of announcement bodies.
- MCY — Mercury NZ Limited: Quarterly Operational Update2022-01-27
“MCY | Mercury NZ Limited | 2022-01-27 | MKTUPDTE | Quarterly Operational Update…”
- MCY — Mercury NZ Limited: Quarterly Operational Update2022-04-18
“MCY | Mercury NZ Limited | 2022-04-18 | MKTUPDTE | Quarterly Operational Update…”
- ANZ — ANZ Group Holdings Limited: Market Update2022-02-07
“ANZ | ANZ Group Holdings Limited | 2022-02-07 | MKTUPDTE | Market Update…”