Vanguard

Dr. Eruani Azibapu, a Nigerian businessman signed into existence Azikel Refinery with Ventech Engineering LLC in Houston Texas. Dr. Eruani, who is the group president of Azikel Group, signed on behalf of Azikel Petroleum Nig. Ltd, alongside with Director of Investment and strategy, Mr. Richard Howarth, the Executive Director Operations, Mr. Presley Asemota, the contract for the manufacturing and construction of a 12,000 BPSD Hydro-skimming Refinery with the world global leaders of Modular refinery construction/manufacturing, Ventech Engineering LLC in the United State of America.

Azikel Refinery is among the recent 22 licensed private refineries by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, with the Buhari’s Administration goal of creating value to the Nigerian crude oil, self-sufficiency in Refined product and employment generation.

Azikel Refinery is situated adjacent the Gbarain-Ubi Gas Gathering Facility in Obunagha-Gbarain, Bayelsa State. The proximity of the Azikel Refinery to the feed stock from Shell has given it a very clear advantage to early start and completion as to meeting the planned commencement of operations in 2018.

Modular Refinery

Ventech Enginering LLC, is the world leader in Modular Refinery construction, and has manufactured several refineries currently in operation in different parts of the world. At the contract signing ceremony in Houston, the president of Ventech Ian Anderson, emphasized that Ventech’s usual high degree of professionalism would be deployed in the construction of the Azikel Refinery, with the objective of ensuring that the specifications of the products from the Azikel Refinery meet international standards. Azikel Refinery will produce high value variants of LPG, petrol, kerosene, aviation fuel, diesel and heavy fuel oil. Ventech Engineering counterpart signed the contract of the Azikel Refinery with the President/CEO of Ventech Ian Anderson, the vice president Scott McClary, the General Counsel Laura Hotard and the Business Development Manager, Mr. Brian Swientonioski.

The event was witnessed by Executives of international Banks, Export Credit Agencies, US Businessman and organization as well as the Nigerian Community and friends of Azikel Group in the United States.

Azikel Petroleum upon the award of the Licence to Establish (LTE) in 2015, has demonstrated a strong zeal and focus in the completion of the refinery. Among the 22 licenses during the period, Azikel Refinery has moved from the first stage licensing (LTE) to the second stage licensing of Approval to Construct (ATC). At this moment out of the 22 awarded licences only four private refinery licences in Nigeria having been able to secure the second license, these are 1. Amakpe International Refinery 2. Resources Petroleum & Petrochemicals 3. Hi Rev Oil Limited and 4. Azikel Petroleum Limited

Obtaining the ATC licensing is a more measure of seriousness and commitment to the establishment of the Refinery. Azikel Refinery is still in the lead of the four other companies, having completed land clearing/de-stumping of 50 [hectares].

Azikel Group which is the sponsor of Azikel Refinery through Azikel Petroleum is committed to the creation of employment, industrialization of Nigerian and sustainability. Azikel Group has created several successful businesses in the dredging industry with Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd. Azikel group is also a player in the aviation sector of the Nigerian economy, with operations of helicopter offshore operations in the oil and gas industry, schedule and unscheduled flights. With the Airline Operation Certificate (AOC) granted to Azikel Air, the company has created lots of employment. Also Azikel Group aims at sustaining infrastructural development with energy sufficiency, the group is also investing into power generation.

The President Muhammadu Buhari, administration licenses Azikel Power, which is part of Azikel Group, with on-grid Power generation license of 500MW. It is the hope of Azikel Group, that Nigeria will be self-sufficient in petroleum products and Electricity Generation and Nigeria will occupy her prided place in the Committe of Nations in Development.

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