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CHATTOGRAM: The work on the second unit of Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL) has started again after the end of coronavirus-related general holidays.
Sources said Tecnip of France, the company responsible for the job, has already completed the design and layout plan, and submitted it to the authorities of ERL, the lone state-owned oil refinery.
"We have already received the design and layout plan and are working on it," said Project Director (Engineering) Engr. Anwar Shahadat. "We'll appoint the contractors as soon as possible. The engineering procurement is the next step."
He also said that the design of the second unit has been finalised under Euro 5 standard.
"The progress of the project work was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. But, after ending the general holidays, the work is going on full swing now," he added.
Officials at the ERL said the acquisition of land has already been completed as the project started in July, 2018. So, the construction work will start within the current year after completing the necessary steps.
The officials concerned said the ERL authorities have already reviewed the design and layout plan, and finalised it. Besides, the government has started developing the land.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), the parent company of the ERL, was holding negotiation with a Chinese state-owned firm Wuhan Engineering Company Ltd to implement the project.
The present annual crude oil refining capacity of the ERL is 1.5 million metric tonne (MT). In contrast, the current demand for petroleum product (POL) stands nearly 6.5 million MT per year.
To ensure the country's energy security, the government had taken the project having 3.0 million MT of capacity. On its implementation, the capacity of the ERL will increase to 4.5 million MT per year and it will bring in the much needed equilibrium between the demand and supply of petroleum products in the country.
It is also expected to ensure production of eco-friendly Motor Gasoline and Diesel Oil and will ensure energy security of the country.