To eliminate additional burden on the existing local refineries and reduce import of petroleum products by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Federal Government has granted NNPC/Chevron JV the approval to construct a mini refinery at Escavos in Delta State.

When completed the Mini refinery will improve and secure product supply base of the NNPC Floating Mega Filling Stations to be sited in the Niger Delta.

It will also meet the operational fueling needs of oil companies in the country. Products from the Mini refinery will be used for fuelling boats, helicopters, fixed wing aircrafts, drilling rigs, onshore/offshore facilities and other requirements for petroleum operations.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Engr. Funsho Kupolokun, who made this known in a briefing said that the refinery will increase the nation's refining capacity. He said that it will also open opportunities for NNPC to formally enter the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bunker fuels market.

Engr. Kupolokun said that the Mini refinery will produce 30,000 barrels of refined fuel per day, adding that the products yield in liters will be PMS, 525,000; Diesel, 795,000; Jet Al, 19,6000; Fuel Oil, 2,900,000.

He said that the Front End Engineering, which will address all the necessary design issues will commence immediately.