FUJAIRAH emirate in the UAE got a major industrial boost with the inauguration of Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc)’s advanced lubricants and grease manufacturing plant.

The new facility is located in Fujairah Port, one of the world’s top three ports in bunker fuel supplies and marine vessels transit.

“The advanced Enoc Lubricants and Grease Manufacturing Plant (Elomp) complements the industrial expansion drive in Fujairah and uses the latest technologies and equipment in lubricants and grease manufacturing,” a company statement said.

Elomp is spread over an area of 63,500 sq m, has a current blending capacity of 100,000 tonnes of mineral and synthetic lubricant-based oils and 5,000 tonnes of grease per year. With the completion of Phases II, III and IV in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively, Elomp will have the capacity to produce over 250,000 tonnes of lubricants and grease, underlining its credentials as one of the largest single lubricants plants in the Middle East and Africa.

Certified to ISO 9001:2008 for quality systems, ISO 14001:2004 for quality and environmental management systems, and 18001:2007 OHSAS for the health and safety management system, Elomp is further equipped with the latest technologies for blending and filling services, and has an ISO 17025-certified laboratory for quality control and oils and fuels analysis.

Saeed Abdullah Khoory, chief executive, Enoc, thanked His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, for guidance and support in launching the lubricants and grease manufacturing plant, which in addition to creating new job opportunities, will also play a key role in driving the future growth of Enoc.

HUB POTENTIAL

“Fujairah has the right policies and infrastructure to serve as a leading regional hub for exports and imports. With the inauguration of Elomp, we are reiterating our trust in the potential for growth offered by the Emirate of Fujairah. We are confident that the plant will contribute significantly to the expansion plans of the Fujairah Free Zone,” said Khoory.

Khoory added that Elomp would serve as a key driver in Enoc’s expansion to new global markets. “Through our integrated approach to blending, analysis and filling, Elomp will manufacture a wide range of lubricants independently and cater to the needs of Enoc’s growing list of clients from over 50 countries in the Middle East region, Africa, South East Asia and the Subcontinent.”

Featuring the most advanced technologies including automated blending and metering systems, Elomp can maximise blending flexibility in respect of product volumes and types.

The plant can blend a wide range of oils including automotive engine oils, transmission oils, speciality oils and industrial oils such as those required by the marine, railroad, hydraulic, turbine, compressor and gears sectors as well as automotive and industrial greases.

Elomp facilitates lube blending for various grades and applications, grease manufacturing, small package filling, drum filling, coding and labelling of packs and testing and analysis. Its Automatic Batch Blending System has a single-shift production capacity of 53,000 tonnes per annum (current phase) while the six filling lines can undertake small can, pail, drum and grease filling.

DEDICATED SUPPLY LINE

The plant has its own supply line connection from the jetty to nine base oil tanks which have a total storage capacity of 11,000 tonnes. This supply line can also be used for reverse supply of finished products to marine vessels and barges. Elomp’s strategic location in the Port of Fujairah provides the plant stronger access over the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, ensuring dispatch of supplies directly to the vessels and thus easing the logistics.

The new plant upholds the highest quality and environmental standards in line with global best practices, Enoc says. The in-house lab ensures quality control of blended lubricants and grease, conducts oil analysis, and undertakes product development work. The plant also features an excellent underground spill collection network.

Khoory concluded: “Elomp further builds on our long-term partnership with Fujairah, where we commenced operations with the launch of Eppco Retail and Vopak Horizon. Fujairah is a true hub, a meeting point for shipping lines in the East and West and is an outlet for the Subcontinent and East Africa. We are committed to further developing our footprint in Fujairah to support the emirate’s plans to become one of the largest hubs for bunkering. Elomp is in line with the government’s strategic plan to diversify the economy and leverage industries that have high potential for growth.”

Established in 1993 as a wholly-owned company of the Government of Dubai, Enoc aims to promote the interests of its shareholders through the development of downstream and upstream activities in the oil and gas sector and beyond and to encourage the economic diversification of Dubai and the rest of the UAE.

It asserts that its vision is to be a leading regional integrated oil and gas group that is highly profitable and socially responsible towards employees, the community and environment. Driving this vision, Enoc has expressed its commitment to achieving sustainable development and highly profitable growth and serving the growing energy needs of Dubai.