2-847-484 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

A group of workmen operating a 46ft long tamper during the construction of a 92ft diameter tank base at Coryton Oil Refinery. A tamper is a device used for compacting granular material such as soil or unformed concrete. Coryton Oil Refinery was ceremonially opened in May 1954 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. It was operated by Vacuum Oil Company; a unit of Mobil. From 1996, the refinery was run by BP as part of a joint venture with Mobil. Ownership of Coryton Refinery was later transferred to BP in 2000, and then Petroplus Holdings in 2007. Major products of the refinery included petrol and diesel, aviation fuels, liquefied petroleum gas, fuel oils and bitumen. Coryton Oil Refinery was closed down in 2012.