The following are the highlights of Bapco’s performance during 2008:

• Bahrain Phased Field Development Project is tendered and bid evaluations are conducted on three international oil companies (IOCs).
• A joint venture agreement is signed for a $430-million lube base oil manufacturing plant in Bahrain.
•  The company achieves its highest refining margin at $11.84/bbl crude.
• Agreements are concluded with international oil companies for the exploration and development of all four offshore oil blocks.
• Drilling commences in October as part of a $200-million development programme to increase Khuff Gas production.
• Construction of the new $150-million Refinery Gas Desulphurisation Plant is completed.
• First export cargo of low sulphur diesel leaves Bahrain on May 28.
• Bapco gains certification for environmental management standard ISO 1400:2004 following a two-stage audit by Bureau Veritas.
• A new record for the highest monthly crude run is set in May with an average of 270.3 thousand barrels per day.
• A Five Star Safety Award by the British Safety Council makes the company eligible for a prestigious Sword of Honour international award.
• Agreement in principle is reached to replace the 60-year old pipeline between Saudi Aramco and the Bahrain Refinery.
• Bapco laboratory wins three international awards, including that of Top Performing Laboratory, in competition with 50 other centres.
• A total of 618 Bahrainis graduated from the Skills for the Workplace initiative organised by Bapco in association with the Ministry of Labour.
• Employees work 4.5 million hours without a single lost-time accident.