By utilising both SRC and the stand-alone
28,000 b/d Pasir Panjang refinery, BP enjoyed
a higher degree of flexibility than any other
Singapore oil company, as it could switch
refining and delivery to either of the two
facilities. The additional capacity arising from
SRC also gave BP Singapore the opportunity
to carry out third party processing for
neighbouring oil producers. The previous
economic disadvantages of operating the Pasir
Panjang refinery, as it was inaccessible to
VLCCs, became an advantage as Pasir Panjang
geared up to process Asian crudes which
were generally shipped in smaller tanks, while
the SRC refinery mainly handled the larger
volume deliveries from the Middle East.
Despite the many difficulties faced, insufficient
materials and the vast number of parties
involved, the project was a success because of the
high level of cooperation between the partners,
the excellent performance of the contractors,
good quality control throughout and a high
degree of safety.
Singapore Refining Company.
BP is justifiably proud of its part in this success
story. From the SPM to the detail of the refinery
itself, it represents a diverse and complex
project, and the cooperation of everyone
involved augurs well for future major BP
investments in the Far East.
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