There is a growing trend to use regionally and globally the residual fuel oil obtained from distillation in refineries,Bahrain’s Oil Minister, Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, has said.

Opening the Middle East Bottom of the Barrel and Catalyst Technology Conference and Exhibition (BBTC Mena & ME-Cat 2020) here, he said residual fuel is a product having many characteristics that make it an ideal choice for refineries, foremost among which is that it is low-cost, environment-friendly and meets the requirements of the carbon economy.

The minister affirmed that Bahrain’s oil and gas sector is progressing, through a group of vital projects being implemented according to a deliberate strategy that ensures its sustainability, foremost of which is the Bapco Modernisation Programme (BMP) which aimed at increasing the refinery’s production capacity while making sure that it contributes to the production of clean, value-added and environment-friendly products, a BNA report said.

He affirmed that the oil and refining industries are witnessing steady progress thanks to the support they enjoy from the leadership which provides all the required support and modern technology.

Held virtually from December 8 to 10 and co-organised by the Euro Petroleum Consultants (EPC) and the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), in cooperation with the National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) and supported by a number of international and GCC oil companies, the event was attended by more than 300 chief executives and affiliates of regional and international oil companies, in addition to experts, engineers and oil industry specialists all over the world.

In his opening speech, the minister welcomed the continuous holding of such a major international conference, which focuses on ways to develop the oil and refining industries and enhance the multiple challenges they are facing in the midst of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and its impacts on various sectors.

He highlighted the importance of these events and conferences as platforms for exchanging experiences in everything related to the refining industries, enhancing the production capabilities of the refineries and achieving the requirements of competitiveness and quality standards, taking into account environmental obligations and requirements.

They also provide an opportunity to study how to develop the refining and petrochemical sectors commensurate with the changing industrial scene in which refineries are facing many operational and environmental restrictions.

Shaikh Mohammed stressed the importance of the topics discussed during this year’s conference, including the Covid-19 impacts and consequences, innovations in catalytic technologies and catalysts, market overview and trends, residue upgrading innovations – technologies, tools and equipment, the importance of research in producing performance catalysts and hydroprocessing.

The minister extended sincere thanks to the conference organisers and participants for their keenness to hold the event despite the Covid-19 pandemic, wishing them every success.

The Oil Minister was then informed about the accompanying virtual exhibition in which many world oil companies participated, including Bapco, ERI, IPCO, AXENS, VALVTECHNOLOGIES, ART and ROSKILL which showcased the latest technology in such a vital field.-

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