Japan’s ENEOS signs MOU with Vietnam’s Petrolimex

ENEOS Corporation has signed  a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Vietnam National Petroleum Group  (Petrolimex), a state-owned company and the largest distributor of petroleum products  in Vietnam, that will strengthen and expand Japan’s leading energy company’s new collaborative programs in Vietnam. 

As a long-term strategic partner of Petrolimex, ENEOS aims to further strengthen its relationship with Petrolimex by increasing its shareholding ratio in Petrolimex. ENEOS Corporation has registered to buy 25 million shares of fuel distributor Petrolimex on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange. The transaction, to be completed in March, if successful, will see ENEOS increase its stake in Petrolimex to 2.94%. It had acquired a 1% stake last September.

ENEOS’ local subsidiary owns another 8% stake in Petrolimex.

ENEOS considers the increasing demand for energy along with economic growth in  emerging countries, especially those in Asia, as opportunities to develop its businesses.  In Vietnam, ENEOS has been working as a strategic partner to improve the business value  of Petrolimex since its investment in Petrolimex in April 2016. ENEOS has also been  considering businesses related to the sales of petroleum products of Petrolimex, which has  approximately a 50% share of Vietnam’s retail sales volume.

The LNG business is one of the new collaborative programs where ENEOS has been  involved with Petrolimex in Vietnam since March 2019 by carrying out feasibility studies  and agreeing with Petrolimex to conduct joint studies on construction and operation of LNG  terminal and gas power plant. 

Based on the knowledge and strengths of each company, an integrated operation,  spanning LNG procurement to power generation, will be established that aims to respond  to growing electricity demand and contribute to stabilizing power supply and demand in Vietnam.

ENEOS’ new collaborative programs with Petrolimex include the following:

1. Enhance Petrolimex’s petroleum supply chain 
   • Joint studies to strengthen and optimize procurement capabilities of Petrolimex (utilizing ENEOS’s refineries, etc.) 
   • Utilize Petrolimex’s import terminal (blending business, trading business, etc.)
2. Support development of services at Petrolimex’s service station network 
   • Enhance diesel fuel sale for trucking companies (develop service stations and convenient services for truck users, etc.)
   • Develop car maintenance business (car washing, sale of car maintenance products such as lubricants, tires, etc.) 
3. Support development of electronic payment and strengthen database marketing
   • Joint design and development of electronic payment system (system design and development in response to policy trends and the spread of  payment terminals in Vietnam) 
   • Introduce electronic payment system and build data platform (support introduction of electronic payment system at Petrolimex service stations and  sales promotion based on customer data, etc.) 
4. Energy infrastructure businesses 
   • LNG business (establish an integrated operation from LNG procurement to power generation  through joint studies on construction and operation of LNG terminal and gas power  plant) 
   • Renewable energy – joint studies on solar power generation business, etc. (utilizing Petrolimex’s assets such as service stations, terminals, etc.) 
5. Hydrogen business 
   • Joint studies for business development (utilization of hydrogen in Vietnam)  
6. Logistics
   • Joint studies for improving Petrolimex’s logistics system (establish central order delivery system, etc.) 
7. Dealer management 
   • Joint studies for supporting program for Petrolimex’s dealers (strengthen sales of petroleum products, etc.)

In order to execute and promote these programs, ENEOS will introduce the new position  of executive regional officer, to accelerate decision-making and business execution, and  strengthen relationships with business partners and related stakeholders. 

Beginning April 1, the general director of its local  subsidiary will also serve as the executive regional officer.

In addition, ENEOS will double the  number of employees at this local subsidiary and accelerate the new collaborative  programs with Petrolimex. 

ENEOS also announced that its Vietnamese subsidiary, ENEOS Vietnam Co., Ltd., will change its name  from JX Nippon Oil & Energy Vietnam Consulting and Holdings Co., Ltd. in April 2021.

ENEOS Vietnam Co., Ltd. is  currently considering ways to improve the business value of Petrolimex and joint studies  for our business collaboration. 

ENEOS will work to realize next-generation energy supply and community services in  Vietnam as part of its Long-Term Vision to 2040 to “Become One of the Most Prominent  and Internationally Competitive Energy and Materials Company Groups in Asia.”