澳大利亚联邦政府与西澳大利亚州政府宣布联合投资400万澳元启动可行性前研究，计划建设澳大利亚自1960年代以来首座新油炼厂[1][2]。该项目旨在应对中东地区冲突期间所暴露的燃料供应风险，总理Anthony Albanese表示"中东战争持续越久，对澳大利亚的影响就越大"[1]。
澳大利亚当前对进口燃料的依赖程度严峻[1][2]。该国约90%的液体燃料来自海外进口[1]，仅有位于Geelong和Brisbane的两座运营炼厂，供应国内需求的约10%[1]。与此对比，澳大利亚在20世纪初曾拥有8座炼厂[1]。作为世界上最大的柴油进口国[1]，澳大利亚面临严重的燃料安全风险。
可行性研究将评估新炼厂的必要性、最优地址选择和运营模式[2]，潜在地点包括西澳大利亚的Kwinana或Karratha[2]。建设周期预计需要5至10年[2]。分析师Saul Kavonic估计，能将澳大利亚炼油能力翻倍的炼厂成本约为150亿澳元[1]。
专家对该项目的实际意义存在保留意见。投资银行Jarden Australia能源研究主管Nik Burns认为可行性研究是"从安全角度来看正确的一步"[1]。但Grattan Institute的Alison Reeve指出，"即使建设新炼厂，我们可能也必须从海外进口石油"[1]，这表明新炼厂难以从根本上消除澳大利亚对进口燃料的依赖。
The Australian federal government and Western Australia state government have jointly announced a A$4 million pre-feasibility study to explore the construction of a new oil refinery, marking the first such project in Australia since the 1960s.[1][2] The initiative aims to address fuel security vulnerabilities exposed during Middle East disruptions in February, with the two governments each contributing A$2 million to the research effort.[1]
Australia currently relies on imports for approximately 90% of its liquid fuel supply, with only two operating refineries—located in Geelong and Brisbane—producing roughly 10% of domestic demand.[1] The country has seen a dramatic decline in refining capacity over the decades, from eight refineries in the early twentieth century to its current two.[1] The feasibility study will evaluate whether a new refinery is needed, identify potential locations in Western Australia such as Kwinana or Karratha, and assess operational models, with construction potentially requiring five to ten years if approved.[2]
However, experts question whether a new refinery would substantially reduce Australia's fuel import dependency. Alison Reeve from the Grattan Institute noted that "even if we build a new refinery, we may still have to import oil from overseas."[1] Analyst Saul Kavonic estimates that a refinery capable of doubling Australia's current refining capacity would cost approximately A$15 billion.[1] Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that "the longer the war in the Middle East continues, the greater the impact on Australia,"[1] underscoring the geopolitical pressures driving the initiative. Australia is also the world's largest diesel importer.[1]
