The Azikel Refinery in Obunagha, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has taken delivery of its 200-tonne, 210-foot-long Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), marking a major milestone in the completion of the $1 billion hydro-skimming refinery.
Manufactured over three years in South Korea, the modular CDU was transported to Nigeria on a chartered vessel and will serve as the refinery’s main processing unit.
The refinery, originally designed for 12,000 barrels per day, has been re-engineered to process 25,000 barrels of crude daily.
Unlike basic topping plants that primarily produce diesel, the Azikel facility is designed as a full-slate hydro-skimming refinery capable of producing petrol, diesel, kerosene, aviation fuel and liquefied petroleum gas.
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President of Azikel Group, Azibapu Eruani, said the delivery has cleared the way for installation and integration works at the site, where more than 700 engineers and other personnel are currently engaged in construction.
When fully operational, the refinery is expected to create about 3,000 direct jobs and more than 80,000 indirect jobs.
The project has received support from Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, who have both visited the facility. The state government is also developing road infrastructure to improve access to the emerging industrial hub.
The next stage will involve installing the CDU on its foundation, completing piping and instrumentation connections, and carrying out pre-commissioning tests.
No official commissioning date has been announced.
