Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) and Finnish company Neste Oil Corporation have initiated efforts to implement a joint venture agreement between them.

They held a five-day process mapping workshop in which 25 professionals from both companies took part. Representatives covered all areas of business such as human resources, technical services, manufacturing, marketing, shipping and sales.

Neste Oil (Bahrain) managing director Ilkka IittilŠinen and Bapco joint venture implementation manager Hisham Zubari held meetings in preparation for the workshop and identified the principal processes encompassed in the agreement in preparation for the implementation phase.

Fifty processes were identified and categorised under six main processes that were assigned to the relevant key contacts from both companies.

The processes were carefully designed and categorised to cover all aspects of the operation such as the supply of feedstock, operations, maintenance, sales and marketing, supply chain and overall operational management and optimisation.

This week, six teams were formed which reviewed the processes. Each process was mapped according to pre-established procedures using an advanced mapping system.

Bapco chief executive Faisal Al Mahroos kicked off the process by thanking all who attended the workshop. He also conveyed greetings and best wishes of Oil and Gas Affairs Minister and National Oil and Gas Authority and Bapco board chairman Dr Abdulhussain Mirza.

'This successful process mapping workshop shows the excellent co-operation between the joint venture partners. The outcome of the workshop is important basis for the future success and smooth operation of this venture,' said Neste Oil base oils vice-president Virpi Amoedo.

'The workshop has exceeded our expectations and put Bapco professionals face-to-face under one roof with those of Neste Oil.'

'This not only enhanced the mutual understanding of issues and concerns, but also developed a long-term friendship among the two companies,' said Zubari.

'This is an excellent opportunity to make the joint venture operational and implement the relevant agreements as part of the daily operations of both Bapco and Neste Oil,' said  IittilSinen. The new plant, under construction, will produce up to 400,000 metric tons per year (about 8,200 barrels per day) of Group III base oils.

'This $430 million project has Samsung Engineering from South Korea as its EPC contractor. The construction phase is on track and 90 per cent complete. The plant is expected to be fully operational by the autumn of 2011,' project manager Lokesh Sood said.-TradeArabia News Service