We have protected the Nigerian market-DPR

Komolafe Rasheed, Lagos

Mrs.Gloria Essien-Danner, Executive Director, External
Affairs (left), Mr. Paul Arinze, Manager, External Affairs
(Middle), Mobil Producing Nigeria and Mr.Akin Fatunke
of Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc at the media preview of “Ahead
with Nigeria” communications project in Lagos.

The regulatory agency in the oil and gas in dustry in petroleum resources, DPR between January and June this year, it intercepted and prevented two ships laden with off-spec petroleum products from discharging the unspecified metric tones of the products into the Nigerian market while a total of 404 vessels were cleared.

The number of the cleared vessels was contained in the summary of the activities of the DPR for the first half of this year a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune shows that between the months of June a total volume of 3,248,688 metric tonne of Premium Motor Spirit PMS was pumped into the market while 933,710 MT of automated Gas Oil (AGO) was distributed during the same period, the DPK popularly known as Kerosene recorded 356,293 MT, ATK Aviation fuel stood at 147,756 while the Base Oil recorded 5,822MT.

During the period under review both Warri and Kaduna refineries were shut down due to various factors such as fire outbreaks, pipeline vandalization, lack of feed stocks e.t.c
The resultant effect is the massive importation of petroleum products to avert the adverse effect of scarcity on the economy.

The monthly capacity utilization of refineries for the period under review shows that Kaduna refinery and Petrochemical company recorded zero capacity utilisation. Port Harcourt Refinery company on there other hand recorded 60 per cent capacity utilization in the month of January 55.8 per cent in February, 39.9 per cent in March, 42.4 per cetn in April, 29.4 per cent in May, while it was completely shutdown in the month of June. Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company also recorded zero capacity utilisation between January and June this year.

The private refineries that could have ameliorated the situation are yet to materialise. Total number of fuel depots in the country as at June this year was put at 79 out of these the Nigerian National Petroleum corporation NNPC has 23, major marketers 22, independent marketers 34.

The number of fuel depots under construction at June this year was 19 while the DPR said it did not receive a single application to construct depots. And contrary to specification in certain quarters, the DPR said there is no unapproved depot in Nigeria without approval. During the period a total of 10.258.115bbls of crude oil were processed by the Port Harcourt refinery with an average of 1,709,686 bbls per month. This represents 37.92 per cent of the refinery designed throughout.

During the period under review DPR held a stakeholders meeting with private refineries operations in Nigeria intimating them of the recently revised government guidelines in order to facilitate the due realization of increased local crude oil refining capacity. The new guideline according to the DPR included procedures for the revalidation of expired approval to construct a private refinery or hydrocarbon process plant. Prospective refineries are to make refundable deposit of US $1 million for every 10,000-psd capacities to support proof of fund for the project.

The deposit is however refundable with interest upon strict adherence to the agreed project execution schedule within 18 months. The period under review according to the DPR witnessed about 26 applications for license to establish private refineries at various stages of qualification. Currently only one company, Amakpe Refinery at Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State, has qualified and therefore granted revalidation of its expired ATC. Four others have also applied for revalidation among others.

Oando unveils “Oleum SM”

Komolafe Rasheed, Lagos

In accordance with its prime objective of delivering superior consumer product and services, Oando Marketing, a subsidiary of Oando Plc, Nigeria’s leading integrated energy solutions provider, on Wednesday in Lagos launched its new class of super premium performance motor engine oil, Oleum SM.

Oleum SM according to a statement from the head corporate communication Oando Plc, Tokunboh Durosaro stated that new flagship product of the company (the highest quality of the Oleum range of products), is the most advanced, 21st century, high performance, multigrade lubricant for today’s most modern gasoline and diesel engines including turbocharged engine. The statement stated that “ It conforms to the latest API (American Petroleum Institute) SM specification. It adapts to the most arduous service conditions in all passenger vehicles and contributes effectively to reducing vehicle downtime for serving requirements.”

Some of the benefits of the premium quality lubricant according to the statement is that it guarantees. Better wear protection for most modern cars apart from these, Oleum SM gives improved oxidation resistance and deposit protection and that excellent performance in severe driving conditions, and “excellent cold starting properties and above all it serves as energy conservation.

Commenting on the new super premium lubricant, the Chief Operating Officer, Oando Marketing, Mr. Ayo Ajose Adeogun said, “The launch of Oleum SM is once again, a display of our unparalled commitment to customers satisfaction at Oando. We are conscious of the care and attention today’s most modern car owners give their cars and we have formulated a product that conforms to the highest international quality standard to assure customers of guaranteed performance always. In 2007 and beyond, the company plans to aggressively enlarge our lubricant market share and profit generation and we expect Oleum SM to contribute significantly to increased lubricants profitability improvement to the delight of our shareholders.”

The Head, Lubricants, Mr. Ayo Osigogun. In his own comment said Oleum SM, the premium engine oil and the latest addition to Oleum range of products. The product gives longer drain intervals between oil changes in total safety and is more reliable than other mineral based ACEA E3 type motor oils.

Oleum SM effectively increases the usage of vehicles beyond the normal engine oils. Its super premium performance is seen in its compliance with the EURO II and the new EURO III technologies.”