PETROAN seeks offtake agreement with Azikel Refinery
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) is exploring a structured product offtake arrangement with Azikel Refinery in Bayelsa State as part of efforts to strengthen access to locally refined petroleum products.
The association disclosed this on Tuesday after a delegation led by its National President, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry visited the refinery in Yenagoa and met with its Chairman, Dr Eruani Azibapu Godbless and members of the management team.
According to PETROAN, the discussions centred on the development and operational plans of the refinery and opportunities for collaboration between the facility and petroleum products retail outlets.
Under the proposed arrangement, PETROAN members would have access to petroleum products from Azikel Refinery, subject to mutually agreed commercial, technical and operational terms.
Gillis-Harry said the association was seeking practical partnerships with indigenous refineries as domestic refining capacity expands.
He said such partnerships could improve product availability, strengthen supply chains and provide retailers and consumers with greater certainty.
“Our objective is not simply to discuss offtake. We want to establish a dependable supply relationship that works commercially for the refinery and gives our members greater confidence in planning their businesses,” he said.
Godbless welcomed the PETROAN delegation and stressed the importance of strategic relationships with petroleum products retail outlets as Azikel Refinery progresses with its operations.
The two parties agreed to continue discussions on the commercial and operational requirements of the proposed offtake arrangement.
The engagement comes amid efforts to expand domestic refining capacity and increase the supply of locally refined petroleum products to the Nigerian market.
PETROAN said it would continue engagements with domestic refineries, government institutions and other stakeholders across the downstream petroleum value chain.