Irving Oil plans second refinery for Saint John
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 4, 2006 | 9:31 AM AT
CBC News has learned that Irving Oil is planning to build a second oil refinery in Saint John, doubling its refining capacity there.
The first Irving refinery in Saint John is the largest in Canada.
Residents of the Red Head area, in eastern Saint John, told CBC that Irving Oil has approached nearly every landowner in the neighbourhood in recent months with offers to buy property.
Irving is already in a partnership with a Spanish company to build a Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in the area, and is spending millions on an access road through Red Head, between Saint John and Mispec.
Three separate landowners confirmed that the company bought several hundred hectares in the Red Head area in the last couple of months.
Irving spokeswoman Jennifer Parker also confirmed the purchase of the land, but would not say what the company wants to use it for.
"Our company is always looking at opportunities to grow our business. And certainly we've talked about the fact that the refinery upgrade project and the LNG project are foundational investments that will make future investment possible," she said.
However, two government officials have told CBC News the company has plans to build a new refinery that would eventually have the capacity to process 300,000 barrels of oil a day and employ about 1,000 people full-time. The target market for the product would be the United States.
To accompany the expansion, Irving Oil would also build a new corporate office tower, most likely in uptown Saint John.
Irving Oil already operates a large refinery in Saint John, and its output accounts for 75 per cent of Canada's gasoline exports to the U.S.
The company is likely to say more about its plans on Thursday, when Irving Oil's director of refining growth Kevin Scott is due to talk to a sold-out Board of Trade luncheon. The topic of his talk is the potential for further development of Saint John as an energy hub.
Members of the new provincial cabinet are reacting to the CBC report that Irving Oil wants to build an entirely new refinery.
The new Liberal government, sworn in on Tuesday, has pledged to make New Brunswick an energy hub for the eastern seaboard.
Rookie Energy Minister Jack Keir says a new oil refinery would help achieve that goal.
"If it is a fact that they're looking at building a second refinery, I think it's wonderful news for greater Saint John," he said.
13 comments:
You voted for--Irving,,Enjoy!
New Brunswick certainly doesn't need another 1000 jobs. Lets force the Irvings to build this in Nova Scotia so we can enjoy a beautiful Bay of Fundy when we come home from Alberta on holidays.
I'm quite sure this refinery plan has been in the works for months or years, and has little to do with the election results, so no votes affected this decision.
Charles, do you have anything to backup the statement that this will destroy the Bay of Fundy? Or is that just more anti-Irving slurring? I don't care for Irving myself, but a second refinery is doubling what we already have. There won't be any new threats that we aren't already familiar with, and ready to handle.
How will it destroy the bay?
How will it destroy the bay?
In what way are we 'ready to handle' it? What do you think happens in the case of an oil spill? If you think New Brunswick is 'prepared' for that you're delusional, they don't even have any ships. Oil + Bay of Fundy equals destruction. Just go ask the people of Spain, Alaska and Scotland. Irvings first claim when it spills: "oh, thats not our ship that belongs to a numbered cayman corporation, so we're not responsible"
What will really be funny is no doubt the first spill will happen the year that Saint John Harbour finally gets cleaned up! Can you say "get the *&^% out of Saint John while you can!" Wait, on second thought, don't because cleanups usually rely on volunteer labour!
"New Brunswick certainly doesn't need another 1000 jobs. Lets force the Irvings to build this in Nova Scotia so we can enjoy a beautiful Bay of Fundy when we come home from Alberta on holidays."
r551n, the most sensible thing I've read on this. Once the name Irving is spoken the knives come out. If this were Shell, I doubt it would be as spiteful.
Yeah, all hail Shell or Exxon. The Valdez is looking for a new port nowadays. But no, it's got nothing to do with hundreds of gallons of oil contaminating everything or turning the Bay into a giant toilet, its just cuz its the Irvings is all! For those who aren't brainless, go do an image search on oil spills and see for yourself. But of course if you don't live by the bay of fundy what do you care eh? Hey, there's good jobs in heroin too, and its not as hard on the environment.
Sadly, heroin would be an easier sell with the Greenpeace folks.
Does bilge water play a big factor in waterway contamination around these parts? Just curious.
I image the cruise ships in port aren't particularly friendly to the harbour's natural state - you see them blowing off lots of black smoke at least.
If Irving was saying they were going to round up acadians and keep them in camps I swear some people would be saying, oh good, jobs!
we definately DO need more jobs in NB. Unfortunately when a big company like Irving says "This will create more jobs..." it translates into "This will make more money for us."
Again the residents of Red Head are being stomped on by Irving. First the LNG. The hundreds of trucks traveling the road is destroying what is left of it. Sure, he was generous to "build" a new road..but the writing is now on the wall..he had an alterior motive..another refinery.
There are hundreds of families in Red Head. I personally have lived here for 40 years. We have been told that he wants all the property from Anthony's Cove to Mispec. Already he has purchased a large portion of the Cove. What will happen with the prestine Mispec Beach?
Yes, to those who say we need the jobs, I agree...but why not plunk this project in your backyard..in Rothesay or Quispamsis? Better still...put it somewhere away from the homes of people who have lived there all their lives. Irving has already been surveying around by home...and I have been told it is just a matter of time...but I have also heard the offers and they are NOT reasonable. How will I be able to replace what I have..3 acres of over 300feet of waterfront property..only 10 minutes from town. One acre lots are going for $50,000 in Millidgeville.
Irving has closed off all media sources..CFBC and the newspaper. Saint Johner's are now only puppets on a string. If I am forced to move..I will go kicking...but I will also leave the City of Saint John as I no longer respect those who are running it.
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