The Cyprus Government and the BP, SHELL and MOBIL companies signed the agreement for the construction of the Cyprus Petroleum Refinery Limited on the 20th of April 1965. Construction began towards the end of 1969 and was completed in two years at a cost of cost 6.700.00 Cyprus pounds. The facilities started operating in January 1972. Together, the constructions covered about 3.2 kilometres of Larnaca’s coastline.
The petroleum refinery facilitated the import, storage and distribution of petrol. The Government’s objective in establishing the refinery in Cyprus had been to save on foreign exchange expenses and ensure the country’s independence from the international market. It also aimed to empower the local socio-economic policy by having the lowest retail price of petrol in Europe.
Ever since Cyprus became a full EU member state in 2004, its operation has been suspended. The main factors were the expansion of the city, the pressure exerted by the community on the Government to relocate the refinery in order to avoid accidents and pollution hazards and produce more environmentally friendly products. In 2012, the Government closed down the refinery with a plan to move all the facilities by 2020.
The Larnaca Municipality is now making plans to regenerate the area because its seafront location has made it a magnet for local and foreign investors.
Researcher Elia Neophytou
Function
1969Industry
2018 1/3 has been removed
Ownership
1969 Government of Cyprus, BP, SHELL and MOBIL
2018 Government of Cyprus
Condition
1969 Good
2018 Fair – scheduled to be demolished
Property Management
1969
2018
Form of government
1969 Presidential Republic (Republic of Cyprus)
2018 Presidential Republic (Republic of Cyprus)
Spatial Planning Agency
1969 Ministry of Interior
2018 Ministry of Interior
Type of heritage and protection
1969 Not recognised as heritage
2018 Not recognised as heritage
Interview with x
Local