The owner of Shell fuel in Australia, Viva Energy, will make major investments in its service station network and build up demand for Shell fuel and lubricants, while moving to take a non-controlling stake in a major customer, Victorian-based wholesale fuel supplier Liberty Oil.
Liberty Oil was started by David Wieland and David Goldberger in 1995. “I can assure our customers that little will change under the proposed acquisition by Viva Energy,” Mr Goldberger said.
Shell’s Australian downstream business, excluding aviation, was sold to Vitol on August 13, 2014, followed by an announcement that it would spend $1 billion over the next five years to upgrade the Shell business.
Now trading as Viva Energy Australia, the company continues to sell Shell branded fuels and lubricants through 870 strong retail sites, of which 630 are branded Shell/Coles Express.
“The remainder are operated by independent operators who as part of their supply agreement with us, are able to display the Shell brand. We have an ongoing program to keep our service station network looking fresh and continue to invest in site improvements including upgrades to price boards, canopies, pumps and underground fuel storage,” Viva Energy said.