Bapco Modernization Programme (BMP), one of the most important strategic projects in Bahrain, is more than 80% complete and is expected to be ready in 2023, said Oil Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.

 

BMP is aimed at increasing the refining capacity, increasing the list of products in terms of quantity and quality, and improving energy efficiency, making the refinery one of the most competitive and compliant with environmental standards in the world, said a Bahrain News Agency report.

 

Opening the 29th Annual Middle East Petroleum and Gas Conference (MPGC 2022), held at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, he shed light on other oil-related development projects implemented in the kingdom.

 

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Iraqi Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar Ismail and a number of senior officials from local, regional and world oil companies from 25 countries participated in the opening ceremony.

 

In his opening speech, Shaikh Mohammed expressed thanks and appreciation to the participants in the global event, including CEOs and heads of international oil and gas companies, senior government officials, policymakers, international oil traders, energy experts, analysts and leading organisations in the energy sector.

 

He valued highly the unwavering support of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to specialised oil events that benefit the national economy and hone the skills of the kingdom’s human resources, noting that the energy sector is the main engine of economic growth.

 

He indicated that the Oil Ministry and the companies affiliated with the Oil and Gas Holding Company (nogaholding), led by HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of nogaholding, Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, always work hard and diligently towards achieving the strategic goals aiming to strengthen the national economy, through the establishment of many development projects at all levels.

 

The minister stressed the importance of joint global action in environmental projects aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions, noting that the kingdom has joined these initiatives by declaring its plans to reach zero neutrality by 2060.

 

In this regard, he said that the kingdom has implemented a number of environmental projects in collaboration and partnership with various companies and international organisations, such as the United Nations Environment Programe.

 

Such initiatives are funded by the Green Climate Fund, and are implemented under the umbrella of the Water Resources Council, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Water Resources Council, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, he said.

 

In the same context, he indicated that a Water Resources Management unit has been established at the Ministry of Oil as an executive entity that supports the Water Resources Council in implementing initiatives and projects for the integrated management of water resources in the Kingdom.