DPR Unveils Initiative To Digitise Downstream Operations

The Department of Petroleum Resources has launched its digitisation initiative for downstream operations under what it called the Automated Downstream System programme.

The DPR said the initiative was designed to improve overall efficiency and accelerate its downstream regulatory performance by reducing application processing time, enhance transparency, and provide a platform for accurate downstream statistics.

The agency said it would also help to integrate with other stakeholders for document verification purposes and improve revenue collection.

“The ADS is in line with DPR’s alignment with government’s ease of doing business policy which is geared towards economic growth,” it said.

According to the statement, the initiative comprises Retail Outlet Monitoring licence for kerosene peddlers, retail stations and industrial consumers; Import/Export Permit for petroleum products; Coastal Vessel Licence; Lube Oil Blending Plant Licence; Depot Licence and Refining Processing Licence.

It said, “With the automated downstream system in place, the DPR no longer accepts manual processing of downstream applications as all applications for licence and permits have been migrated to digital platforms.

“Applicants are therefore expected to visit the Electronic License and Permit System portal on our website and take the required steps.”

The agency also announced that it had introduced the Smart Inspector solution to ease technical inspection, real-time data-gathering and monitoring of oil and gas facilities to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.

It said, “These digitisation initiatives of the DPR are integrated into the Corporate Enterprise Resource Planning application system, which is the platform for our business system automation.

“The DPR will continue to provide robust regulatory oversight for the oil and gas industry in Nigeria in furtherance of its vision to be a leading Regulator in the global oil and gas space.”