Emoil lays the foundation of new US $33 million gasoline storage and blending facility at Jebel Ali Free Zone
Posted: 23 July 2004
At a foundation stone laying ceremony, Emoil Petroleum Storage FZCO, a newly established joint venture company between Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat), BP Singapore PTE Limited and Trafigura Beheer BV, announced the start of construction of a new gasoline storage and blending facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone at a total investment of US$33 Million.
The facility will include, building 9 products storage tanks of various capacities for blending and storing high quality gasoline products, with total capacity of 203,000 cubic meters, to be built in an area covering 47,000 square meters. Emarat holds 60% of the Joint Venture while BP and Trafigura hold 20% respectively.
Present at the ceremony were the directors of the new JV Company Mr. Rashid Al Shamsi, General Manager, Emarat who is also the Chairman of Emoil, Mr. Tony Harpur, BP's Regional Manager for Supply and Trading and Mr. Graham Sharp, Director, Trafigura Limited.
Mr. Abdul Rahman Q. Al Ali from Emarat has been appointed Managing Director of Emoil. Also present were executives from Jebel Ali Free zone Authority and Partners in the project.
The contract to construct the facility has been awarded to Belleli Energy and the project is expected to be completed in 16 months.
Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Al Shamsi, said the main objective of the project was to diversify sourcing of unleaded gasoline locally. "By blending gasoline products at this dedicated facility we will not only be able to meet Emarat's own requirements for high quality gasoline but also supply local and regional markets. This project falls in line with our commitment to contribute in the development of UAE and safe guard our environment."
To ensure highest quality products, best operational performance and compliance with environmental regulations, the Emoil facilities will be constructed with the latest technology to meet stringent international standards.
Mr. Al Shamsi added: “This project will also provide new job opportunities mostly for UAE nationals. In line with Emarat's drive to train, develop and employ UAE nationals, measures have already begun to recruit candidates to be trained and qualified for the various positions foreseen in the project."
The new gasoline blending and storage facilities will have access to three oil berths in Jebel Ali Harbour and pipelines linking it with the existing Emarat Terminal in the Free Zone to achieve maximum operational flexibility.
Mr. Tony Harpur, Regional Manager Supply and Trading, BP, said “The signing of the contract with Belleli today and the commencement of work on site represents an important milestone for ourselves and our Joint Venture partners, Emarat and Trafigura. The establishment of this world class terminal with the latest equipment and technology confirms our commitment to the region and will help us to develop new business opportunities in the future”.
Mr. Graham Sharp, Director of Trafigura, added: “The ceremony today marks a major step on the road to the completion of this gasoline blending terminal. For Trafigura this is our first major investment project in the Gulf region and we believe this will be a foundation for our long term business objectives locally. As the market for petroleum products continues to grow rapidly, this terminal will feed growing need for world class facilities and service in the Emirates”.
In order to eliminate lead emission from vehicle exhaust and provide a healthy environment, the UAE Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources stopped the use of leaded fuel in the UAE from 1st January 2003 to be replaced with the Unleaded fuel, following the decision of the cabinet No.239/39 for 2002.
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
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