Uninterrupted fuel supplies during MAF refinery turnaround: Orpic

Supplies of refined petroleum products, fuels and petrochemicals to the local market will continue uninterrupted notwithstanding the scheduled maintenance shutdown of the Mina Al Fahal (MAF) refinery, the state-owned Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic) announced here yesterday.

The MAF Refinery is the subject of a major 45-day planned turnaround and maintenance activity, which began on October 3, and will continue until November 16, 2017.

“The turnaround operation, which takes place every four years, is being handled by a total workforce of 2,200 engineers and technicians who will contribute an estimated 1,000,000 man-hours at site to carry out maintenance activities. This is required to integrate the MAF refinery’s units with the newly constructed units at the Suhar Refinery Improvement Project (SRIP) and the Muscat - Suhar Product Pipeline (MSPP),” said Orpic in a statement.

“The supply of fuels and petrochemicals to the local market has been meticulously scheduled and secured to ensure smooth supply to the market. In cooperation with Oman Oil Marketing Company, Shell and Al Maha Petroleum, Orpic is using a number of logistical supply channels including sea shipping from Suhar Refinery to Mina Al Fahal Refinery and Al Jifnain Depot,” it added.