Orpic’s Sohar refinery project achieves safety milestone

27/08/2015 08:02 AST

Orpic has achieved 15 million man-hours without lost time injury at its Sohar refinery improvement project, with more than 6,500 people on site, working to a 2016 completion date.

The milestone comes just days following the installation of Oman’s first hydrocracker reactor, which is the heaviest and one of the most critical pieces of equipment on the project.

“Safety is our number one priority. We have a diligent and experienced team who are committed to ensuring the construction and future operation of this project is achieved to the highest standard,” said Musab Al Mahruqi, chief executive officer of Orpic.

Orpic’s Sohar refinery improvement project is a multibillion-dollar capital investment for Orpic, which is being delivered in response to the need to upgrade Orpic’s refining capability in order to further maximise the value of Omani crude oil, and to ensure that the Sultanate’s increasing demand for fuel will be met.

In addition to the immediate commercial benefits that the project brings to the business, it will also have a social-economic impact on other areas.

“Enhancing In-Country Value (ICV) is an integral part of our growth strategy and substantial benefits are anticipated. About 300 direct, permanent jobs will be created, and around 2,400 Omani contract roles will be offered over the project lifetime,” Al Mahruqi noted.

“The project is also anticipated to result in local business participation, with an estimated 900 indirect jobs to be generated by the multiplier effect the Sohar refinery improvement project will have on the local economy,” he added.

Orpic is undertaking three major growth projects aimed at improving production and further diversifying Orpic’s product mix. Orpic’s growth projects will position Orpic as a market leader in Oman, the Middle East and the international oil and gas sector. Known as the sohar refinery improvement project, the Muscat-Sohar product pipeline, and the Liwa plastics industries complex, Orpic’s growth projects are expected to generate significant opportunities for Orpic and Oman.

Times of Oman