Z Energy takeover rumours continue ahead of crucial Refining NZ vote today

Takeover rumours continue to surround Z Energy

Takeover speculation continues to swirl around Z Energy ahead of a vote on whether to close down the refinery at Marsden Point.

The Australian newspaper reported this morning that Z Energy had brought in Goldman Sachs as a defence advisor amid speculation at least two suitors were circling the fuel retailer.

A spokesman for Z Energy said the company did not comment on such speculation.

Following an investor day last week, Z Energy CEO Mike Bennetts said: "We are always very conscious of complying with our continuous disclosure obligations and we don't think it's helpful to provide comments on market speculation.

"Although we have discussions with other parties and actively consider opportunities that may arise from time to time, there is nothing in this area which requires disclosure. The board will always consider proposals that may be in the interests of the company and shareholders."

Z Energy shares were up 17c, or 5.88 per cent, to $3.06 this morning.

The takeover rumours come on a big day for New Zealand's industrial sector with Refining NZ shareholders set to vote on whether to turn the country's only oil refinery into a terminal that imports processed fuels.

The refinery is owned by Refining New Zealand, of which Z Energy holds a 15.4 per cent stake.

The Australian's Data Room column suggested any takeover bid for Z Energy was only likely to emerge after the vote but ASX-listed Ampol (formerly Caltex Australia) could be a potential bidder.

Refining NZ chief executive Naomi James told RNZ: "We need to make a change in the way we're operating because of the most difficult circumstances we've faced in 60 years".

Shrinking refining margins, an inability to compete with offshore refineries which can operate at lower costs and the drive towards low carbon transport fuels are the reasons cited by the company for the major shift.

"We're necessarily conscious of New Zealand's focus in particular on reducing carbon emissions, with the emergence of new challenges and opportunities expected in the transition to low carbon transport fuels over time," James said.

The decision will mean all of New Zealand's fuel products will be imported having already being processed by refineries in Asia, and Marsden Point will operate as an import-only terminal, under the banner Channel Infrastructure.

"There will be a change of the amount of stock that's held in New Zealand, because we will no longer have had the crude here at Marsden Point, and that's one of the things that the Government has obtained advice on and has looked at as part of their consideration," James said.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said it was preparing advice for the Energy Minister on the implications of the decision, although the advice it had received suggested the move to an import terminal was not a major risk to fuel security.

One option would be to require fuel companies to hold a minimum level of oil reserves.

"There is not a strong economic case to hold onshore reserve stocks beyond the current stock level, but there may be other reasons to consider this, for example the management of international supply chain risks," the MBIE statement said.

Voting on the proposal will take place at a meeting in Auckland, with a result expected later today.

However, the final investment decision on the transition will be made by the company's board later this year.

- Additional reporting: RNZ