Azikel Refinery, one of the 22 private refineries licensed by the
administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, will begin
operations in 2018.
The President of Azikel Group, Dr. Eruani
Azibapu, recently signed the agreement for the establishment of Azikel
Refinery with Ventech Engineering LLC in Houston Texas.
Eruani
signed on behalf of Azikel Petroleum Nigeria Ltd, alongside with
Director of Investment and Strategy, Mr. Richard Howarth, and the
Executive Director Operations, Mr. Presley Asemota.
The contract
for the construction of a 12,000 barrels per day hydro-skyming refinery
was signed with
the world global leaders in modular refinery
construction/manufacturing, Ventech Engineering.
Azikel Refinery
is situated adjacent the Gbarain-Ubi Gas Gathering Facility, in
Obunagha-Gbarain, Bayelsa State. According to a statement by the
company, the proximity of the Azikel Refinery to the feed stock from
Shell has given it a very clear advantage to early start and completion
as to meeting the planned commencement of operations in 2018.
At
the contract-signing ceremony in Houston, the President of Ventech, Ian
Anderson, emphasised that Ventech’s usual high degree of professionalism
would be deployed in the construction of the Azikel Refinery, with the
objective of ensuring that the specifications of the products meet
international standards.
Azikel Refinery will produce high value variants of LPG, Petrol, Kerosene, Avaition Fuel, Diesel and Heavy Fuel Oil.
President/CEO
of Ventech, Ian Anderson, the Vice President Scott McClary, General
Counsel Laura Hotard and Busines Development Manager, Mr Brian
Swientonioski signed for Ventech.
The event was witness by
executives of international banks, export credit agencies, US
businessman and organisation as well as the Nigerian community and
friends of Azikel Group in the United States.
The funding of the refinery has been secured from Exim Bank, export credit agencies and EPC Project Finance funding.
Among
the 22 licensees during the period, Azikel Refinery has moved from the
first stage of licensing (LTE) to the second Stage licensing of Approval
to Construct (ATC).
Out of the 22 awarded licenses only four private refinery licensees in Nigeria have been able to secure the second license.
Azikel
Group which is the sponsor of Azikel Refinery through Azikel Petroleum
is committed to the creation of employment, industrialisation of
Nigerian and sustainability.
Source: Thisdaylive
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