SINGAPORE (Reuters) - BP (>> BP plc) will cease production at its 102,000 barrels per day Bulwer Island refinery in Brisbane in May, a spokeswoman said on Thursday.

The company previously announced the closure of the refinery by mid-2015 as it restructures its struggling refining and marketing business in Australia.

Australia's refineries, owned by BP, Royal Dutch Shell , ExxonMobil (>> Exxon Mobil Corporation) and Caltex (>> Caltex Australia Limited), are facing strong competition in Asia and high costs.

U.S. energy giant Chevron (>> Chevron Corporation) sold its entire stake in Australia's Caltex last month as falling oil prices and high costs hurt margins.

(Reporting by Jessica Jaganathan; Editing by Richard Pullin)