Angola: Sonangol Announces Construction of Lobito Refinery

ALLAFRICA

ANGOLA PRESS [10/12/12]

Luanda — The Angolan State-run Oil Company (SONANGOL) announced the formal start of construction of the Lobito Refinery with a capacity to process 200,000 barrels of crude oil a day.

The announcement was made by SONANGOL CEO, Francisco de Lemos, in Lobito, central Benguela province, during the ceremony of laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the refinery by the Angolan vice president, Manuel Vicente.

The official said the project follows the engagement of hundreds of staff and officials of the company since 2000, when the vision and corporative strategy of the undertaking was proclaimed. The works may come to conclusion within the coming five to six years.

"The construction of the Lobito Refinery is also the result of the devoted effort of a great patience and passion of the president of the Republic, José Eduardo dos Santos who, with his vision and strategic orientation always believed in the country's capacity to supply fuels in quantity and quality, mainly at low prices," he added.

According to the source, this SONANGOL's substantial investment represents the beginning of a long journey that will gradually culminate with the reduction and full elimination of imports of fuels and lubricants, aiming at national energetic independence.

Francisco de Lemos explained that the refinery will provide an additional industrial unit to a more modern and environmentally compliant economic and productive structure to quality standards.

"As from Monday, SONANGOL will start actions for the launch of tenders that will permit the award on the basis of a detail engineering that is ready and the amount for the construction of all units that will serve the undertaking," the official said.

The project that will generate 10,000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase, is situated in the Quileva region, some 10 kilometres of Lobito port city.

It is located 150 metres above the sea level, over an area of 3,805 hectares, on the north-south axis and will permit the supply of oil derivatives to all provinces of Angola and neighbouring countries.