The petroleum industry is broadly split into upstream and downstream petroleum sectors. The upstream sector refers to exploration and production of crude oil while downstream refers to refining of crude oil and the distribution and sale of petroleum products.
In 2011, consumption of petroleum products in NSW was 16,655 ML. Total throughput at petroleum terminals was 17,591 ML. The DEC of petroleum terminals was $239 million.
The Audit includes data from two domestic refineries in NSW that are now closed - the Caltex refinery at Kurnell in southern Sydney, which closed in 2014, and the Shell refinery at Clyde in western Sydney, which closed in 2013. In 2011, Caltex Kurnell had a throughput of 7,540 ML per year and Shell Clyde had a throughput of 4,930 ML per year.
The Audit projects an increase in throughput of 1.7 per cent per year in NSW. This equates to throughput of 24,863 ML per year by 2031 - an increase of 7,272 ML per year. This is projected to result in a growth in DEC of $99 million. Demand for diesel to service the mining and agricultural sectors is also projected to grow. A jet fuel pipeline may also be required to supply the proposed Western Sydney Airport.