BP buys Australian petrol pump network for $1.3 billion

London: British energy giant BP on Wednesday announced it has agreed to buy a network of Australian petrol stations from supermarket chain Woolworths for $1.3 billion. BP said it will establish a strategic partnership with Woolworths in a deal for the purchase, rebranding and operation of Woolworths’ existing 527 fuel and convenience stores, plus 16 sites under construction, for the equivalent of Australian Dollars 1.8 billion. “The development of high-quality, differentiated fuel and convenience offers is a key part of BP’s strategy,” said Tufan Erginbilgic, boss of its downstream business. “We are excited to be establishing this strategic partnership with Woolworths, one of Australia’s largest supermarket retailers.” BP already owns 350 retail locations across Australia and supplies fuel to an additional 1,000 outlets owned by independent business partners. AFP