Chemex Modular LLC., on Tuesday announced that it has reached terms in principle with Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Ltd (NDPR) to increase the latter's current refining capacity from 1,000 barrels of crude per day to 11,000 barrels per day.

Under the terms, the expanded refinery will allow NDPR to supply increased diesel capacity, jet fuel, gasoline and marine diesel oil in addition to the current diesel only production capacity and provide several local jobs for skilled operators, technicians, and plant maintenance personnel.Commissioned in 2012, the refinery was designed and fabricated by Chemex Modular and has been operated at full capacity ever since.

According to the company, it is proud to have been chosen again to provide the extra expansion equipment and technological services.The new units will comprise of additional crude distillation units, a naphtha hydrotreater, a naphtha splitter, and a catalytic reforming unit for the production of gasoline.

Located at Ogbelle, Rivers State, the refinery is a 1,000 barrels per day topping plant targeted for the production of diesel for internal consumption and the remaining is sold to the immediate locality.The plant receives crude oil from the flow station operated by the parent company, the Niger Delta Exploration and Production (NDEP) Company, within its marginal field.

NDPR operates the only privately-held petroleum refinery in Nigeria, and does it successfully.Chemex Modular and NDPR expect the commissioning of the expansion to take place by early 2018, Your Oil and Gas news reports.

Anita Fatunji