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Oman’s Mina Al Fahal Refinery reaches record capacity utilisation

Petrochemicals

Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company’s (Orpic) Mina Al Fahal Refinery in Muscat has reported the utilisation of a record capacity of 94 per cent in 2015, according to industry sources

Essam Al Sheibany, general manager of Mina Al Fahal operations at Orpic, said, “It is a continuous improvement process under the guidance of a clear leadership and vision that has yielded better results that all we are proud of. 

“Over the years, Orpic has steadfastly focussed on reliability and process safety practices through a programme called ‘Back to Basics’. This simple programme focusses on core areas, such as health, safety, environment, operations and plant equipment, to reassess and re-evaluate key areas of improvement.”

Referring to the growth in domestic demand for refined products, he noted that demand for LPG (cooking gas), JET A-1 and premium gasoline in 2015 was expanding at a rate of seven per cent over 2014. Further, regular gasoline demand grew 3.3 per cent, compared to 2014. Further, gas oil consumption showed a modest growth rate of some 1.5 per cent, compared to 2014.

Talking about Oman’s self-sufficiency in petroleum products, he added, “The net import-export position varies from one product to another. For LPG, fuel oil and aviation fuel (JET A-1), Oman is a net exporter, whereas the country is short in gasoline and balanced for gas oil.”