WA, federal governments investigate potential for first new oil refinery in decades

The WA and federal governments will investigate building a new oil refinery to strengthen the country's energy security.

Both governments have announced a $4 million pre-feasibility study for the ...

news iview listen Loading ABC News News Home WA, federal governments investigate potential for first new oil refinery in decades Share Share article WA, federal governments investigate potential for first new oil refinery in decades M By Mya Kordic The Australian government is looking to build its first new oil refinery in decades.

( AAP: James Ross ) The WA and federal governments will investigate building a new oil refinery to strengthen the country's energy security.

Both governments have announced a $4 million pre-feasibility study for the large-scale facility, which was proposed and would be built by Perdaman.

Link copied Share Share article Australia could build its first new oil refinery in decades, with the federal government set to investigate constructing a large-scale facility in Western Australia as part of its energy security response.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and WA Premier Roger Cook travelled to the WA mining hub of Karratha today to announce a $4 million pre-feasibility study, which would examine potential sites for the refinery.

Mr Cook said the sites being considered were predominantly located in the Mid West and the South West of the state.

The ABC understands possible locations include Geraldton, Perth, Bunbury and Collie.

When asked whether Karratha could be in the running, Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King said "the north does make sense" but a proper investigation was needed to determine the location.

Madeleine King says the location for the proposed oil refinery is yet to be chosen.

( ABC News: Kimberley Putland ) "We haven't decided on a location.

That's what a feasibility study is about, finding the best place, the most sensible place to pursue such a venture," she said.

Mr Albanese said the facility would be the first oil refinery built in Australia since the 1960s.

"Building an oil refinery here on the west coast would obviously build our resilience as a nation, as well as particularly benefit Western Australia, which plays such a critical role in Australia's economy," he said.

"It would create a major boost for local jobs and manufacturing along with our sovereign capability." The new refinery was proposed and would be built by Perth-headquartered Perdaman, a multinational organisation known for its fertiliser production operations.

An oil refinery in Geelong is one of only two remaining in Australia.

( AFP: William West ) There are just two oil refineries remaining in Australia , located in Brisbane and Geelong.