Jubilation in Edo as the state’s refinery receives its final operational license from NMDPRA. Learn about the significance of this milestone.
Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited, situated in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State has been awarded an operational license by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The refinery can officially begin full operations now that this significant milestone signals the completion of regulatory approval.
During a formal ceremony, the NMDPRA awarded a license to AIPCC – parent company of Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited (ERPCL) – as part of its role as Technical and Commercial Regulator for Midstream and Downstream Operations in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
Ahmed Farouk, CEO of NMDPRA presented the operational certificate to AIPCC while Mr. Francis Ogaree, Executive Director of Hydrocarbon Processing Plant Installation & Transport Infrastructure (HPPITI), was present at the event alongside Farouk during handover proceedings.
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Farouk commended the refinery for achieving a crucial milestone and urged them to persist in their endeavors of bolstering the country’s energy sector during his speech. The Executive Director of NMDPRA made certain that AIPCC Energy and Edo Refinery have its unwavering support for all future undertakings while underscoring NMDPRA’s part as an industry facilitator.
On behalf of AIPCC Energy, Segun Okeni who is the Head of Technical Operations at Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited, has pledged to make significant contributions towards Nigeria’s petroleum refining and gas processing sectors. The company is currently constructing three additional projects with one projected for completion within a year as disclosed by Okeni.
Okeni stated in Benin City that the Operational License is the result of a thorough endorsement process from NMDPRA. Starting with obtaining the License to Establish (LTE), followed by getting approval for introducing hydrocarbons, going through pre-commissioning and commissioning phases which all led to acquiring the License to Construct (LTC).
With successful operations being carried out, this has now granted them permission to obtain their formal operational certification – TheLicense To Operate(LTO).
To assuage worries about the availability of crude oil, Okeni revealed that negotiations were underway to secure a partnership with a domestic oil firm in order to obtain necessary supplies.
Although encouraged by the backing provided by both NUPRC and NMDPRA, achieving peak production capability was dependent on finalizing this arrangement. Additionally, he stressed that local refineries should receive priority consideration for marginal oil field contracts as their newly acquired license allowed from NUPRC implied.
The progress achieved by the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited signifies a significant leap towards Nigeria’s energy self-reliance and economic advancement, demonstrating how local refineries are becoming better equipped to contribute.
