Oman Refinery Company (ORC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan Cooperation Centre for Petroleum (JCCP) to jointly conduct a research project titled, “Process and Operational Improvement in Mina Al Fahal Refinery”.

JCCP is a non-profit organization, operating under the auspices of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Technical cooperation between ORC and JCCP has been in place since 2003. Japanese ambassador, senior JCCP and ORC officials attended the signing ceremony here early last week.

ORC commenced oil-refining operations in 1982, and has accumulated operational experience in oil refining sector for 25 years. Of late, ORC revamped its plant to maximise the throughput to cope with the increasing domestic demand for petroleum products. The company has embarked on this research project for process and operational improvement. Since the Japanese oil refinery industry has accumulated knowledge and technologies related to the proposed study, ORC and JCCP have agreed to execute the study as a JCCP fund joint project. Japan’s Cosmo Research Institute, an arm of Cosmo Oil Company, will provide technical assistance to ORC. ORC, an ISO-certified company (ISO 9001, 14001, 27001 and OHSAS 18001) has been in the forefront in training nationals. The company has launched a new initiative to train 101 graduates in process, instrumentation, mechanical, electrical and laboratory disciplines.

Trainees will undergo 12 months of intensive and extensive training that involves both classroom and employment exposure. The company has an enviable position of having adjacent to its learning and development centre, a highly sophisticated plant and fully equipped maintenance workshops, and are being utilized to train young Omanis. The programs are certified, supported and subsidized by the Ministry of Manpower. Oman Society for Petroleum Services (OPAL) is working hand-in-hand with ORC to ensure quality. The Ministry of Manpower, Shell Representative Office in Oman and the employees finance these 101 trainees. On completion of the program, Aromatcis Oman, Oman Wastewater Services, Hanover Middle East and ORC will employ them. ORC is planning to build an integrated training plant, fourth in the world, and first of its kind in the Gulf, a plant solely for training purpose. The company is also conducting a series of technical and non-technical short-term programs.

ORC is welcoming companies to join this initiative.  

(Times of Oman)