Australian Army petroleum operators tested their precision and endurance during a collective training exercise designed to enhance their fuel distribution and storage capabilities.

The operators from 17th Sustainment Brigade conducted Exercise Overland Nautical Petros 25 (Ex ONP 25) at Cowley Beach Training Area in Queensland with personnel from the Army Logistics Training Centre, Papua New Guinea, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. 

The training focused on refining collective skills in bulk fuel handling, establishing field fuel installations and distributing petroleum products to support deployed forces. 

The activities used marine diesel fuel, which exercised fuel testing capabilities and tested procedures with Fuel Capability Branch (Joint Logistics Command). 

The exercise, held towards the end of last year, used the towed flexible barge distribution system, the largest marine fuel transfer system in the Army, which enables ship-to-shore transfer of up to 85,000 litres of fuel. 

The collaboration between Australia, Papua New Guinea, the UK and New Zealand ensured each nation’s logistics operators could integrate effectively during combined operations or humanitarian responses.

'This is what separates us from civilian providers – we use our tactical knowledge to do fuel operations in a threat environment.'

Officer Commanding Major Daniel Cateley said the exercise validated the Army’s petroleum operator workforce on the full suite of deployable bulk fuel distribution capabilities.

“At all stages of an operation we need fuel to power our vehicles, vessels, aircraft and other equipment – without it, we can’t do our job,” Major Cateley said.

“Training on Ex ONP prepares soldiers for their core trade skills as well as developing resilience operating in challenging environments.

“Often we can’t procure fuel in an area of operations, so we need to be prepared to bring this deployable infrastructure and supply with us. 

“There is also a defensive aspect to this exercise. This is what separates us from civilian providers – we use our tactical knowledge to do fuel operations in a threat environment.

“Over recent years we’ve seen bulk fuel capabilities being employed for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, such as Operation Tonga Assist and Operation Flood Assist, so we need to maintain these skills.”