By: Henry Lazenby
4th November 2011

African downstream petroleum products refiner Engen on Friday "unequivocally pledged to stand by its commitment to its Durban-based refinery" after a media report said it was mulling a decision to pull out owing to air pollution regulations.

The refiner told its shareholders also gave their reassurance that it would "remain business as usual".
"The company continually operates to and ensures that it meets regulatory requirements including considerations of health, safety and the environment. We also strive to achieve best practices within the industry," MD and CEO Nizam Salleh said in a statement.

Engen said the refinery is currently undergoing a planned maintenance shutdown to scrutinise every part of the plant and carry out any remedial work that may be required to get the installation running to its full potential. Salleh said this illustrated Engen's commitment to continue to ensure the mechanical integrity of the plant and that all regulations are met.

"We have reviewed and enhanced our plant safeguarding system, the safe work system and preventative maintenance management system, as well as our critical equipment reliability strategy. We are also considerably increasing our investment in closing technical capability gaps," he said.

Durban-based newspaper The Mercury on Friday reported that Engen came under scrutiny this week after a delegation of senior government officials visited the refinery to serve a legal notice on refinery managers "to clean up or face prosecution".

The newspaper said Salleh took exception to the attempts to "portray Engen in a bad light" by eThekwini mayor James Nxumalo and MEC for Environmental Affairs Lydia Johnson.

Salleh stated that Engen had invested "many millions" to reduce its environmental footprint and has undertaken numerous initiatives to reduce the impact on the community. "We have also invested heavily in funds for the betterment of the local people and the neighbourhood," he said.

Edited by: Mariaan Webb

Source: Engineering News (http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/engen-stands-firm-on-durban-refinery-2011-11-04)