Vandalism, Major Threat To Oil Production – KRPC’s MD

The Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company, last week, said the incessant vandalism on Warri-Kaduna oil pipeline remains a major threat to the performance of the company.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr.Saidu Muhammed, stated this at a workshop for energy correspondents in Kano.

The workshop has as its theme ‘Development communication – an imperative for oil and gas industry.’

The Managing Director, who was represented by the Executive Director(Services), Idi Mukhtar, asked  the Federal

Government to urgently safeguard the oil pipeline from Warri to Kaduna  from activities of vandals.

This, Mohammed argued, would ensure the continued supply of crude oil to KRPC in order to sustain production.

According to him, vandalism remains a major threat to the smooth transportation of crude to the refinery.

He believed the pipeline should be regarded as a military zone in view of its strategic importance to the nation’s economy.

Mohammed explained that replacement of the weak segments of the pipeline was ongoing, adding that the repair was expected to be completed in August(this month).

“Thereafter, crude oil supply to KRPC would resume,” he said.

He added that company was currently undergoing rehabilitation, noting that the phase one was completed last year while the phase two was completed in July.

“We are hoping to commence phase three from September, 2015,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director said the current phase of equipment installation was expected to increase the capacity utilisation of the refinery to 75 per cent.

He noted that the third phase of the project would deliver the targeted 90 per cent by the second quarter of 2016.

Mohammed said, “This line needs to be highly secured to guarantee continuous supply of crude oil to KRPC. We advocate the pipeline be regarded as ‘Military Zone’ in view of its strategic importance.

“While the plants were shutdown due to lack of crude oil, the opportunity was exploited to intensify the plant rehabilitation activities.

“It is pertinent to mention that these achievements and indeed the smooth running of KRPC could not have been realised without the host communities’ cooperation. We are in harmonious relationship with our host communities; we thank them and solicit their continued support.”