Lobito – National Oil Company (SONANGOL) and China Chemicals Engineering Company (CNCEC) signed contracts in Lobito this Friday for the construction of the refinery in that city in coastal Benguela province.
According to the SONANGOL's CEO, Gaspar Martins, who was speaking at the ceremony, these are contracts for engineering, procurement, construction, management, technical support services and supervision.
The aim, according to the CEO, is to increase the company's processing capacity to reduce the country's dependence on refined oil imports.
"This event is just one stage in the process of implementing the project, while its realisation shows SONANGOL's commitment to making the construction of this oil refining complex a reality," he explained.
Gaspar Martins emphasised the importance of the project for SONANGOL, saying that it is a strategic priority, as it will improve the country's fuel supply and achieve self-sufficiency in refined products.
"We guarantee that its execution and operation will respect the commitments in environmental, social and governance terms, which are fundamental aspects for the sustainability of this Refinery," said the CEO.
In turn, the Chairman of CNCEC, Wen Gang, stressed that his company is committed to honouring its commitments and is always prepared to follow the concepts of integrity, innovation and mutual advantage, in order to comprehensively strengthen unity and transparency with its Angolan partners.
"CNCEC is an international leader in integrated solutions in the petrochemical industrial engineering sector," said Wen Gang.
The company has designed and built more than 70 chemical plants in more than 80 countries.
Wen Gang, the Lobito Refinery is extremely important in the development strategy for the entire petrochemical industry chain in Angola.
The Lobito Refinery, also known as Sonaref, is located five kilometres north of the city and is designed to produce 200,000 barrels a day.
From 2012 to 2016, the site was prospected, from 2018 to 2021, the project was optimised, from 2021 to 2022, the FEED (basic engineering) was updated and in 2023, construction began.TC/CRB/DAN/DOJ
