Following the recent announcement by Murco’s parent company, Murphy Oil Corporation, of its intention to exit from

its refining operations worldwide, Jim Mulheran, Murco’s dealer sales manager, is keen to let existing and potential dealers know what this really means for them over the coming months.

He said: “The announcement from our parent company stated clearly the board of directors’ plans to exit from their refining businesses worldwide and to focus their attention and resources on developing a premier international upstream business and a top quartile US retail franchise.

“The effect of this decision is that we find ourselves non-core to Murphy Oil’s business, but thanks to Murphy’s investment in Murco in recent years, we are well placed to grow as a profitable business in the future.

“Indeed, the situation we find ourselves in is not currently untypical in the UK oil industry. A number of our competitors are in a similar situation, but for us and for them, business continues as normal.

“I and my team of business development managers will continue to work as always for the benefit of our existing dealers and the recruitment of new dealers will continue.

“The excellent fuel supply package that we offer to dealers has not changed and we are currently in ongoing discussions with several dealer prospects. I am greatly encouraged that none of these prospects have been deterred by the Murphy Oil announcement and I am confident that many of our offers for supply will be accepted.

“All current dealers can be assured that their existing supply agreements will be honoured regardless of the outcome of the current situation and that we will be looking as we would normally do, to extend any existing arrangements in the normal course of events.

“I’m confident that whether for Murco or for any prospective purchaser, a strong and dynamic dealer network will continue to form an important part of the overall mix and that it will play a vital role in continuing to move the business forward.”