Stanlow oil refinery broke toxic pollution limits 58 times, documents reveal

Why This Matters

• The refinery supplies roughly 18% of Britain's road transport fuel, so any disruption to its operations has direct implications for fuel supply and prices.
• Repeated breaches mean toxic chemicals and oil have entered rivers, the Mersey Estuary and groundwater, with potential consequences for wildlife, local ecosystems and nearby residents.
• The case raises questions about whether the existing permit regime, which allows controlled discharges, is strong enough to protect the environment.

Background

Stanlow is one of only four refineries left in the UK and one of the country's largest industrial sites. Operators hold permits that permit limited discharges of oil and chemicals, but these come with a legal duty to minimise pollution and harm. The company was bought from Shell in 2011, and this year pleaded guilty to separate charges covering 2018 to 2020, showing a pattern of environmental non-compliance spanning several years.

Key Perspectives

EET Fuels: Says it takes its environmental responsibilities extremely seriously, while facing both the earlier guilty pleas and fresh scrutiny over the 2023 and 2024 breaches. Environment Agency: Has confirmed it is investigating the permitted-level exceedances, and previously determined the company broke its permit conditions 58 times across the two years. SourceMaterial journalists: The investigative outlet that obtained the documents, highlighting the scale of repeated releases that a single permit regime appears to have allowed.

What to Watch

• The outcome of the Environment Agency investigation and whether it leads to further charges or enforcement action.
• Any penalties, fines or permit changes imposed on EET Fuels for the 58 breaches.
• Whether the company's operational practices change to prevent further exceedances of permitted chemical levels.