President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing called for improving the refining efficiency of oil refineries to ensure greater confidence in the quality of domestically produced petroleum fuels during his inspection of No 1 Oil Refinery (Thanlyin) yesterday.

The President outlined that if the refinery is operational, it will create employment opportunities for residents while enabling domestically required fuels to be purchased and used at lower cost. Moreover, as fuel imports from abroad can be reduced, the country’s foreign currency expenditure will also decrease, he added.

The President noted that the successful completion of Phase I of the refinery operation represents a milestone achievement for the government, and arrangements must also be made to ensure a continuous supply of the raw materials required for the operation of the refinery.

Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Ko Ko Lwin reported to the President on the efforts to implement the Phase I as the modular type refinery to produce 500,000 tonnes of fuel per year depending on the availability and volume of raw material supplies, process of building the refinery in Phase I and II, laying the pipelines to transport crude oil and oil products, placing the pipeline for natural gas, production of machinery parts, and a plan to commence the operation of the Phase I of the refinery in September.

He added that upon the completion of Phase II, the refinery will be capable of producing and distributing 60 per cent of the country’s petroleum requirements and 50 per cent of its diesel requirements.

After inspecting the oil refinery, the President viewed the display of documents related to oil and natural gas production, the oil production process in successive eras and the use of relevant equipment at the Energy Museum.

He also reviewed the progress in the construction of Phase I of the oil refinery and guided the Union Minister for Electricity and Energy and officials.

MNA/TTA

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