2-847-487 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

Workers moving a floating petrol tank during the construction of Coryton Oil Refinery, showing the tank just prior to turning the corner. The caption beneath this album print reads 'Floating petrol tanks. Coryton. "Admirals Gig". Shows the tank just prior to turning the corner, the dinghy was for going from one bank to the other and for tying the haulage ropes.' 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.