Caltex oil refinery
We’ve been trying to get a photo of this oil refinery for almost as long as we’ve been running this blog. Paul’s tried while I was driving; I’ve tried while Paul was driving; I’ve even tried snapping a shot while stopped at the traffic lights opposite the refinery; but for some reason the angle and light has never been quite right and we’ve always ended up with a tree in the way, or blurry shots, or a passing car obscuring the subject.
Yes, of course, in theory we could just pull the car off the road and walk back a little way to get a good shot, but the trouble is that we’re always (and I mean ALWAYS) in a hurry when we’re passing this way. A few days ago we got lucky though, and you can see the result above (this is just a small part of the refinery complex, of course). I’ll leave it to you to guess who was doing the driving and who was doing the shooting… 
The refinery was built in the early 1960s and began operations in 1966. Of course, it’s been upgraded a few times since then, and according to the Caltex website it “remains one of the largest industrial undertakings in the Western Cape, providing much-needed jobs and economic growth in the area.” Unfortunately it also provides a rather unpleasant fragrance, but that’s a story for another day…
…and unpleasant fragrance and, from what I’ve heard, thousands of ground leaks.
::an
Sorry. I should never type anything so early in the morning.
Yeah mjw, it can’t be great living near this place. Yuck!
Dear sir/madam
I am an s4 chemical engineering student at Cape Peninsula University of technology and i am looking for in-service training in your company for next year (2010).
I’m looking forward to hear from you
Your sincerely
S.Ntozo
This might explain the origin of those ground leaks.
Hi Sandise, unfortunately Cape Town Daily Photo doesn’t currently require the services of a chemical engineer. Perhaps you could try applying at Caltex?
Indeed mjw.
looking for work during the current shutdown as a semi skilled labourer.where do i put in my cv?
The city has placed green receptacles with slots in the lid at convenient places all over the city. Perhaps try those?
Selwyn, unfortunately I have no idea where you could place your CV. Check out http://www.capeads.co.za and http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/ – perhaps you’ll find something there. Best of luck!
Hi, I study at Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography. We currently have a brief where we have to shoot a landscape. I decided that I wanted to shoot the refinery, what a bad decision! They said it’s illegal, and when I asked for permission they always referred me to someone else…so I found another way to shoot it!
Just actually wanted to say that they don’t give good customer service!!!
Hey there guys, had such a good laugh at the comment, and the explanation of the ground leaks.
Our company worked on the last Chevron 2010 Shut Down, what an incredible place to work, and yes taking photos is very illegal.
Thank you for the amazing high quality photo, who can I ask for permission to publish this photo on our website with the article from the shutdown?
Regards
sorry im looking for in -service taining my self
I am a student at Mangosuthu University of Technology and looking for inservice training in your company.I will apprecaite if you could send me a notification if you do offer this in your company.
I am a student at Walter Sisulu University of Technology and I’m looking for an inservice training in your company. I’m doing ND Electrical Engineering S4 Heavy current.I will appreciate if my application will give you highly concideration
Hi Corlette,
Sorry for not responding sooner – I must have missed your message somehow. I never realised that it would be “illegal”. I wonder if it really is. Have you posted your photo online somewhere for us to see?
Paul.
Hi Driaan,
Do you have an idea why it would be considered illegal to photograph the refinery? That’s so weird.
You’re welcome to use the photo on condition that you link back to this article.
Cheers
Paul.
Thansanqa zuma, Mlungisi, Nozibele,
You guys… you must be ripping us off here. Nobody could seriously confuse Cape Town Daily Photo with Caltex. Nice one. Good luck with that job-hunting!
Paul.
to condescend someone by looking at their name (ignoring their achievements) highly disgusting paul and mjw
Hi Gary – names have nothing to do with my response, and based on my knowledge of mjw, nothing to do with theirs either. If you’d been the fifth person to reply on the article to ask for employment, I’d certainly have directed the comment at you also.
My last comment, and reply to mjw, could be read in a condescending tone… you’re correct. I’m sorry if this offended you.
hi all out there im not sure if you can help me with but im looking for a guy called Sibusiso Maseko who is currenty working at Caltex oil refinery in Milnerton give him my eamil adrees if u can plz reply soon
hi my name is lazarus.
I am living in JHB
there is a need to build a refinary in nigeria.
would like to have the contact of the peaple who
can do this job.
nzeremlazarus@gmail.com
hie im currenty doing grade 12 ,subjects physical sciences ,biology,geography. and intent to study chemical engineering next year .so was wondering if there is no saferty wacther vaccancies. If ya then pliz inform me