His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Bapco Energies Board of Directors chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa paid an extensive inspection visit to the refinery site to closely examine the efficiency of operational processes and follow up on the performance of the new units.
The visit marked the first anniversary of the King’s inauguration of the Bapco Modernisation Project, which was organised by Bapco Energies Group on December 18 last year.
Shaikh Nasser was briefed on the significant operational efficiency of the refinery following its modernisation.
Production levels have risen from 265,000 barrels per day to 380,000 bpd. He announced a new increase in production capacity to 405,000 bpd, representing a 42 per cent increase compared to the previous capacity.
This increases the kingdom’s export capacity by up to 40pc of high-value oil products, exceeding the operational targets set at the beginning of the modernisation project.
As part of the kingdom’s drive to localise industries related to the energy sector, Shaikh Nasser inaugurated the Bapco manufacturing facility, a unit comprising a group of advanced industrial workshops. He reviewed the unit’s high-quality manufacturing capabilities, which enable it to produce vital spare parts and equipment for the refinery.
The unit covers 10pc of the company’s annual requirements for spare parts and operational equipment.
He directed that a feasibility study be conducted for an integrated industrial project aimed at manufacturing the spare parts and equipment needed by the energy facilities of Bapco Energies companies, to establish a national industrial system capable of meeting the sector’s needs locally and encouraging innovation in engineering industries, in order to enhance Bahrain’s status in this field and use the latest and most advanced technologies, including 3D printing for the parts manufactured in this unit.
He also directed that a number of other complementary projects be studied, that would provide economic and technical support to the modern refinery and enhance Bahrain’s global position in innovation, sustainability and advanced industries, to consolidate its position as an advanced industrial centre in the energy sector.
Shaikh Nasser affirmed that his visit was intended to closely examine the efficiency of the new refining units one year after the historic opening of the refinery, considering the modernisation project a milestone in the development of the refining sector and a qualitative leap that strengthens Bahrain’s position as an advanced industrial centre in the region and the world.
He praised the leadership’s vision that supported the project since its inception, and the exceptional legacy it represents, capable of meeting future challenges and maximising the positive impact on the national economy.
He also emphasised the important role of the refinery in supporting the core operating system for the long-term sustainability of Bapco Energies, thereby achieving Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.
“The modernisation project completed all its construction phases and has begun actual operation safely and reliably after a successful trial operation,” Shaikh Nasser said, affirming that the 32 new units, compared to only 13 units before the modernisation, have been designed to operate with minimal energy consumption and in accordance with the highest international standards of occupational safety and risk management.
“It reflects the enormous transformation brought about by the new refinery units and demonstrates Bahrain’s readiness for a new phase of leadership in the refining and energy sector at the regional and international levels.
“The new refinery facilities include one of the largest hydrocracking units in the region, as well as a new distillation unit and round-the-clock digital control systems, which enhance operational efficiency and ensure the adoption of the highest levels of modern technology.”
He praised the efforts of Bapco’s board of directors and executive management team in overseeing the modernisation project and monitoring its construction operations from inception to completion, noting their remarkable success in overcoming all challenges and their exceptional ability to control and manage costs and expenses during implementation.
Shaikh Nasser also expressed pride in seeing Bahraini youth working at the refinery, which demonstrates their exceptional ability to manage and operate the latest global technologies in refining and energy.
“Their success is clear proof of the ability of national talent to manage and operate the latest global technologies in refining and energy,” he said, reiterating that Bahraini citizens have always been and continue to be the first choice for employment, and that empowering national youth will remain a fundamental pillar of the future development strategy.
Shaikh Nasser also met a number of Bahraini engineers and technicians working at the refinery, who were recruited and employed prior to the start of the modernisation project, upon his specific directives on empowering Bahraini youth and prioritising them in this strategic development.
More than 700 Bahraini engineers and technicians were selected to work in the new units and are now working with high efficiency in the management and operation of the units, laboratories and operational facilities.
This outstanding performance is the result of advanced training programmes exceeding 200,000 hours of specialised training, including international courses at the headquarters of the unit manufacturers, in addition to intensive training programmes in the kingdom, which provided national cadres with rare operational expertise, enabling them to handle one of the most advanced operating systems in the world.
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