NETCO AND EPROM STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP FOR REFINERY OPTIMIZATION

The NNPC Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO), led by the Managing Director Dr. Tonye Alagba, recently concluded a successful visit to the Egyptian Projects Operation and Maintenance (EPROM) headquarters in Alexandria, Egypt. The visit took place from October 22nd to 24th, 2024 with the aims of solidifying the partnership between the two companies and exploring further collaborative opportunities in refinery operations and maintenance.

Through this partnership, NETCO and EPROM will leverage their combined knowledge and expertise to improve the performance, reliability, and sustainability of Nigeria's refineries, starting with the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Area 5.

During the visit, the NETCO delegation met with high-ranking officials, including Mr. Salaheldin El Sayed Abdel Kerim, CEO of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation who represented the Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, His Excellency Engr. Karim Badawi, and EPROM's Chairman/CEO, Engineer Hossam Asaad. Both sides emphasized their commitment to the successful operation and maintenance of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) facility, recognizing its importance for both Nigeria and Egypt.

Key Developments and Collaboration Highlights

The NETCO-EPROM partnership is built on several key agreements and milestones that will enhance Nigeria’s refining capacity and promote knowledge exchange between both companies.

• Contract Signing: As part of the partnership, EPROM will provide manpower support to PHRC for an initial period of three months, with a focus on the safe start-up, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance of Area 5. This directly resulted in an immediate deployment of 10 (ten) EPROM personnel to PHRC.
• Assessment of PHRC Area 5 Status: It was agreed that EPROM will carry out a comprehensive assessment of PHRC Area 5 to identify and address any operational gaps in the short, medium and long term.
• Visit and Operational Insight: The NETCO delegation toured the 160,000 bpd Middle East Oil Refinery (MIDOR) in Alexandria, where EPROM provides operations and maintenance (O&M) services. This visit showcased EPROM's expertise, and the advanced technology employed in modern refinery operations.
• Collaboration: Beyond the immediate manpower supply, NETCO and EPROM agreed to explore broader collaboration in areas such as knowledge transfer, specialized training for NNPC personnel (including 3D laser scanning and process safety), and on-the-job training for operations and maintenance.
• Future Plans: Further discussions centered around plans to deploy EPROM personnel to support the ongoing rehabilitation efforts at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC). Both companies also deliberated on the progress made in preparing a joint bid for a 5-year Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contract for PHRC.

This strategic partnership between NETCO and EPROM holds substantial promise for Nigeria’s energy sector. By leveraging EPROM’s expertise to Nigeria’s refining operations, the collaboration is expected to optimize NNPC refinery operations in Nigeria, ensuring efficiency and reliability in meeting the country's energy needs.

Additionally, the partnership serves as a model for regional cooperation in Africa’s energy sector. By combining the capabilities of two leading energy companies from different parts of the continent, the collaboration strengthens ties between Nigeria and Egypt and offers a roadmap for other African nations to follow. This cooperation will not only boost refinery operations but also contribute to broader economic growth and energy security across Africa.