Bahrain starts Group III base oil production

Bahrain’s new base oil plant, a joint venture of Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), Neste Oil and Nogaholding, has started commercial production. The plant, which has a production capacity of 400,000 metric tons per year, produces Group III base oils for use in blending top-tier lubricants. Bapco Chief Executive Faisal Al-Mahroos said: “We are delighted with the successful start-up of this promising project. The new plant reflects National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) and Bapco’s on-going commitment to diversify income in support of the national economy of Bahrain, and also reflects our continuous commitment for entering into promising partnerships with leading establishments worldwide.” Neste Oil Executive Vice President Matti Lehmus said the new plant is a great achievement, as it is one of the world’s largest units of its type and features the latest technology. “Thanks to close cooperation among the partners, we were able to get the plant up and running within the very challenging three-year schedule originally announced,” he said. (October 16, 2011)