Rights Managed > Historic England > Industry > Engineering and Construction > Coryton Oil Refinery
Piling rig JLP01_01_167_47
Filename: jlp01_01_167_47.jpg
Size: 5471 x 7710 (4.9MB)
Date: 11th October 2021
Source: Historic England
Credit: A© Historic England Archive. Joh
Copyright Status: Copyrighted Work
Source: Historic England Archive
Owner URL: https://images.historicenglandservices.org.uk/
© Historic England Archive. John Laing Photographic Collection
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Historic England
Piling rig JLP01_01_167_47
CORYTON OIL REFINERY, THURROCK, ESSEX. Workmen operating a Neilens pile frame during construction at Coryton Oil Refinery, showing the 4 ton hammer driving a 16" x 16" pile foundation.
The caption beneath this album print reads " Neilens" Pile Frame, 4 ton Hammer driving 16" x 16" Pile to a set of 10 blows to the 1".
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
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 23851968
© Historic England Archive. John Laing Photographic Collection
1950s Engineering Industry Machinery Oil Refinery People Work Foundations Pile Driving Piling
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a moment in time at the Coryton Oil Refinery in Thurrock, Essex during its construction. The image showcases workmen operating a Neilens pile frame, with their focused expressions revealing the intensity of their task. Standing tall amidst the industrial backdrop is the impressive 4-ton hammer, poised to drive a substantial 16" x 16" pile foundation into place. The caption beneath this album print provides intriguing details about the machinery involved - a "Neilens". Pile Frame and its powerful hammer delivering precisely ten blows per inch. It also sheds light on the historical significance of Coryton Oil Refinery, which was ceremonially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in May 1954. Once operated by Vacuum Oil Company (a unit of Mobil), then later by BP as part of a joint venture with Mobil from 1996 onwards, ownership eventually transferred solely to BP in 2000 before being acquired by Petroplus Holdings in 2007. This refinery played a vital role in producing major petroleum products such as petrol and diesel, aviation fuels, liquefied petroleum gas, fuel oils, and bitumen. Sadly, despite its rich history and contributions to industry throughout several decades since its opening ceremony attended by royalty itself; Coryton Oil Refinery met its end when it closed down permanently in 2012. Nevertheless, this remarkable photograph serves as an enduring testament to both human ingenuity and engineering prowess within Britain's oil refining sector during the mid-20th century.
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