Wednesday,
November 2, 2016
Dr.
Eruani Azibapu, a Nigerian businessman who signed into existence Azikel
Refinery with Ventech Engineering LLC in Houston Texas, has expressed optimism
that the project would come on stream in 2018. Eruani, who is the Group
President of Azikel Group, signed on behalf of Azikel Petroleum Nig Ltd,
alongside the Director of Investment and Strategy, Mr Richard Howarth. The
Executive Director Operations, Mr Presley Asemota, the contract for the
construction of a 12,000 BPSD Hydro-skyming Refinery with the world global
leaders of Modular refinery construction/manufacturing, Ventech Engineering LLC
in the United State of America. Azikel Refinery is among the recent 22 licensed
Private refinery by President Mohammad Buhari in 2015, in line with his
administration's goal of creating value for the Nigerian crude oil industry to
achieve self-sufficiency in refined product and employment generation.
Azikel
Refinery, situated adjacent the Gbarain-Ubi Gas Gathering Facility in Bayelsa
State, in Obunagha-Gbarain, Bayelsa State. Observers believe the proximity of
the Azikel Refinery to the feed stock from Shell has given it a very clear
advantage to early start and completion towards meeting the planned
commencement of operations in 2018.
For
its part, Ventech Enginering LLC, the World leader in Modular Refinery
construction, and has manufactured several refineries currently in operation in
different parts of the world. At the contract signing ceremony in Houston, the
President of Ventech, Ian Anderson, emphasised that the firm's usual high
degree of professionalism would be deployed in the construction of the Azikel
Refinery, to ensure that products specifications from the facility meet
international standards. According to him, Azikel Refinery will produce high
value variants of LPG, Petrol, Kerosene, Avaition Fuel, Diesel and Heavy Fuel
Oil. The General Counsel Laura Hotard and The Busines Development Manager, Mr
Brian Swientonioski. The event was witness by executives of international
banks, Export Credit Agencies, US businessmen and organisations as well as the
Nigerian community and friends of Azikel Group in the United States.
The
funding for the refinery has been secured from Exim Bank, Export Credit
Agencies and EPC Project Finance funding. Mr Dada a US based Nigerian, who has
provided international funding of billions of US dollar into Africa was present
at the event in Houston. According to him, securing the funding from
international organisation is the key success factor for the refinery. Dada
said the construction of the project will create immediate economic stimulus in
the Nigerian economy, in addition to creating immediate employment during the
construction phase and long term employment from its operation. Dada expressed
optimism that export credit agencies funds would be available in the US,
European and other parts of the world for viable project like Azikel Refinery
and encourage more Nigerian businesses to follow suit.
Recall
that Azikel Petroleum upon the award of the license to Establish (LTE) in 2015,
demonstrated a strong zeal and focus towards the completion of the refinery.
Among the 22 licenses approval during the period, Azikel Refinery has moved
from the first stage licensing (LTE)to the second Stage licensing of Approval
to Construct (ATC) at the 22 licenses given by government only four private
refinery licenses have been able to secure the second license. Other licensed
refineries include Amakpe International Refinery, Resources Petroleum &
Petrochemicals, Hi Rev Oil LImited and Azikel Petroleum Limited.
Obtaining
the ATC licensing is seen as measure of seriousness and commitment to the
establishment of the refinery. Promoters of Azikel Refinery believe it is still
in the lead of the four other companies, having completed land
clearing/de-stumping of 50 Hectares of land for the refinery, a reclamation/
sand-filling campaign which lasted for over ten months.
Azikel
Refinery plot been completely laid out, with secured fencing completed, roads
and Utilities completes. At the operational site of Azikel Refinery,
construction of Crude Oil feed stock tanks and refined products tanks have
reached a 55% completion. The Execution now of the ISBL Unit, which is the main
Modular Hydro-Skimming Refinery from Ventech, when completion of the
construction and transportation to the site, will keep the project in tight
schedule for operations in the 2018.
Azikel
Group which is the sponsor of Azikel Refinery through Azikel Petroleum is
committed to the creation of employment, industrialization of Nigerian and
sustainability. Azikel Group has create several successful business in the
dredging industry with Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd. Azikel Group is also a
player in the Avaition Sector of the Nigerian economy, with operations of
Helicopter Offshore Operations in the Oil and Gas Industry, Schedule and
Unscheduled flights, with the Airline Operation Certificate(AOC) granted to
Azikel Air, the company has created lots of employment. Also Azikel Group aims
at sustaining infrastructural development with Energy sufficiency, the Group is
also investing into power generation. The President Mohamend Buhari,
administration licenses Azikel Power, which is part of Azikel Group, with
on-grid Power generation license of 500MW. It is the hope of Azikel Group, that
Nigeria will be self sufficient in petroleum products and Electricty Generation
and Nigeria will occupy her prided place in the Committe of Nations in Development.
SOURCE: THE SUN