Bahrain Petroleum to increase refining capacity

Bahrain Petroleum Co. (BAPCO) announced that it will be increasing its refining capacity to about 400,000 barrels per day (bpd). Currently, the company’s capacity is 267,000 bpd. The expansion is expected to cost US$6 billion, according to Bahrain’s Energy Minister, Abdul Hussain Mirza . In addition to expanding the refinery, the company plans to upgrade a major crude oil pipeline from Saudi Arabia. The energy minister said, “Currently, we are studying the possibility of altering the route of this pipeline and replacing it with a larger one with a capacity of 350,000 bpd.” BAPCO recently finalized the first phase of a refinery upgrade project that marginally increased gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuel output, along with other products. (June 6,2011)