Bahrain has proudly marked the inauguration of the milestone Bapco Modernisation Project (BMP).
His Majesty King Hamad, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, inaugurated the project at a grand ceremony yesterday.
This transformational project stands as the largest strategic undertaking in the kingdom’s history and a pivotal development in the energy sector.
The milestone coincides with Bahrain’s 53rd National Day celebrations and the 25th anniversary of His Majesty’s accession.
Upon the arrival, His Majesty was received by his representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Bapco Energies board of directors chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bapco Refining chairman Abdulla Jehad Al Zain, Bapco Energies Group chief executive Mark Thomas and Bapco Refining chief executive Dr Abdulrahman Jawahery alongside members of the board of directors and senior officials from the company.
Following the inauguration, His Majesty toured the accompanying exhibition for the inauguration, titled ‘A Journey Through Time’.
The exhibition showcases three distinct eras representing the past, present and future. It begins with the initial stages of oil exploration in the kingdom, leading up to its discovery in 1932, followed by the export of the first shipment and highlights the developmental projects and companies established in the oil and gas sector during that period.
The exhibition then transitions to the various milestones achieved over the years and looks ahead to the future with vivid imagery utilising the latest artificial intelligence technologies.
Shaikh Nasser delivered a speech, underscoring the significance of the project as one of the most advanced refineries in the region and globally, equipped with state-of-the-art technologies.
This landmark project, the largest capital investment in the history of Bahrain, commemorates more than 93 years since the establishment of Bapco and the first crude oil flow in the Gulf region.
The project, comprising 15 sub-stations and 21 new processing units, was executed by a global consortium of leading companies alongside local partners.
With the commencement of crude oil processing in the new units, more than 500 Bahraini engineers are poised to oversee and manage the operations, embodying His Majesty’s vision for the sector and commitment to embracing rapid technological advancements.
During the ceremony, His Majesty underscored the significance of the project in fostering national development and sustainability, aligning with the Bahrain’s ambition to maximise the value of its natural resources for economic and societal advancement.
“This landmark project reflects our enduring commitment to sustainable growth, utilising Bahrain’s natural energy resources to power economic progress and development,” His Majesty stated.
He highlighted the project’s role in driving the kingdom’s energy transition strategy, emphasising the government’s steadfast dedication under the leadership of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to advancing economic recovery through strategic investments in high-potential sectors.
His Majesty acknowledged the crucial role of Bapco Energies in advancing Bahrain’s energy sector and supporting the kingdom’s broader energy transformation.
Through the integration of advanced technologies and processes, the project is set to improve operational efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and further align with the ever-changing global industry standards.
“This project represents more than 90 years of development in Bahrain’s energy sector. With significant investment, it lays the groundwork for continued progress, creating lasting economic value for the kingdom,” His Majesty remarked.
He praised the commitment of Shaikh Nasser to the sector. His Majesty acknowledged the significant contributions made by Shaikh Nasser in supporting and advancing the sector, which has been instrumental in driving progress and enhancement of its competitive capabilities.
His Majesty attributed the successes and achievements realised by the kingdom to the active and dedicated participation of the citizens of Bahrain in the national endeavour.
He emphasised that their unwavering commitment and hard work have demonstrated an exemplary model of creativity, achievement and the anticipation of a promising future for Bahrain.
The project is a cornerstone of the Bahrain’s 2030 Vision, and reinforces its long-term goals of increasing refining capacity, diversifying its energy portfolio and enhancing efficiency.
It positions Bapco Energies amongst the leading energy companies delivering sustainable energy solutions and bolsters the kingdom’s position as a global energy innovator.
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