***As Eruani explains long delay in refinery take-off

 

The Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Bayelsa Branch, has said that the Azikel Refinery, which is at a finished stage, complies with best Engineering Standards and it is indeed a marvel of engineering expertise.

They alluded that the refinery is the only Refinery in Africa that processes condensate and Crude Oil as feedstock. The Azikel Refinery is critical to the economic prosperity of Bayelsa State, the Niger Delta and Nigeria.

This, Chairman of the NSE, Engr. Elianatein Mac Jokori, stated this when the Nigeria Society of Engineers visited the Refinery site in Yenagoa.

He noted that the project is already transforming the fortunes of Bayelsa State, the Niger Delta and Nigeria, with over 700 engineers and staff engaged at the finishing and completion stage.

He said, “As engineers, we recognize that a refinery of this scale is more than a commercial venture, as it is the engine of industrialization and a catalyst for local capacity building and a pathway to sustainable development for our youths.

He averred that the Refinery would create a collaboration between industry, government and professional bodies to ensure the highest standard of safety, stewardship and local content.

Pledging their support for the project, Jokori assured of a strategic partnership focused on technical knowledge, internship and mentorship programs, as well as research and capacity building.

The Chairman lauded the Azikel Group for adherence to operational processes, engineering automation, maintenance and safety management, even as he noted that they’re valuable to its members.

The society also seeks partnership towards the flagship of its research centre, which is an innovation hub, testing, digital design, and a legacy that would strengthen industrial capacity and support sustainable industrial growth.

The Society of Engineers congratulated Dr. Azibapu Eruani CFR on the milestone achievements and pledged a constructive partnership as the project progresses.

Earlier, the President of Azikel Group and owner of the Azikel Refinery, Dr. Azibapu Eruani CFR, assured the Nigerian Society of Engineers that the Azikel Refinery is catalyzing Bayelsa State Industrialization.

He said, “The Azikel Refinery, licensed by Former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, has now gone through several enhanced value engineering and redesigns to a 25,000-barrel-per-day capacity and is now a $1bn investment.

The Azikel Refinery is a full slate refinery producing Petrol, Diesel, Aviation fuel, Kerosine and LPG.
“The Azikel Refinery would ultimately be scaled to 125,000 barrels per day.

Dr. Eruani reiterated his commitment to the Industrialization of Bayelsa State, the Niger Delta, the South-South, and Nigeria.

According to him, the Azikel Group through the Azikel Refinery has continued to stimulate a favourable GDP index, with not fewer than 700 staff at the refinery, where the majority are young Bayelsans and Nigerian Engineers, while others are expatriate staff.

He posited that going forward, the Azikel Group has injected economic value in Bayelsa State and Nigeria by creating wealth and financial sustainability.

He also clarified the distinction and difference between the Azikel Refinery, which is a Hydroskimming Plant, meaning a refinery that produces all the petroleum products including petrol, versus a Topping plant, which only extracts diesel, adding that Hydroskimming refineries are not to be compared to topping plants, as the public has often compared and questioned why the long time for the completion of the Azikel Hydroskimming Refinery.

The cracking of crude oil or condensate to produce Petrol (PMS) and Aviation Fuel is a major feat in the refinery business, which can only be achieved by Hydroskimming Refinery and other refineries with Fluid catalytic Cracking(FCC) Units.

Dr. Eruani Azibapu CFR further stated that Azikel Refinery is the second largest full slate Refinery in Nigeria and the only refinery in Africa that processes condensate as feedstock to full slate products of PMS, DPK, AGO and Heavy fuel oil.

The President further reiterated his sincere drive towards the industrialization, wealth creation, and sustainable development of Bayelsans and Nigerians and, overall, stimulating the economic prosperity of Nigerians and the globe.