BP in Singapore
The early years
BP’s entry into Singapore took place when the state was part of the federation with Malaya, Sabah and
Sarawak that had been created following the end of the Second World War.
In 1960s, the Japanese partnership of Maruzen Tokyo Oil and Toyo-Menka Oil received ‘Pioneer Status’ from
the government of Singapore for a refinery project on the south-west of the island at Pasir Panjang (Berlayer
Point). The refinery was commissioned in 1962 with crude oil supplied by BP through an arrangement with
Union Oil of California. However, the refinery operated at a loss because of the poor quality of its main
product, kerosene, and because the plant was unable to produce gasoline and naphtha to market standards.
In the spring of 1963, Union and Maruzen asked BP to purchase 50% of Toyo-Menka’s share in the refinery,
but it then transpired that the Japanese firm wanted to dispense with the whole of its shareholding.
The late Dr Goh Keng Swee (First EDB Chairman and Former First Deputy Prime Minister) declaring
Maruzen Toyo Oil Refinery open on March 21, 1962.
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