Vice Premier Vladimir Semashko: All projects of OJSC Naftan must be completed in 2016-2017

Novopolotsk Open Joint Stock Company "Naftan" must complete its technical re-equipment within the established deadlines in order to keep up with global industry development trends and enhance the competitiveness of its products on foreign markets. This was emphasized by the Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko, who visited the country's largest enterprise during a working trip to the Vitebsk region.

— I am convinced that in 2016-2017, all planned projects will be completed in accordance with the new approved work schedules, this is realistic, — the Deputy Prime Minister noted, responding to a question about the progress of the modernization program.

At the same time, he compared the situation at the two oil refineries in the country, not in favor of "Naftan", stating that at Mozyr Oil Refinery, based on the results of last year's work, the implementation of all its programs was financially secured through profit. According to Vladimir Semashko, Mozyr today has a completely different structure of the so-called oil product basket, which fully complies with global standards and is more in demand on the market. Therefore, the main task for Novopolotsk is to complete the technical re-equipment, no matter how difficult, to match Mozyr in terms of processing depth and product quality, while their volumes are approximately the same.

"We will, of course, help,будем. Например, приняли решение забирать с «Нафтана» мазут и использовать его в системе «Минэнерго» в качестве альтернативного топлива: в сложившихся условиях это дает определенные  дивиденды и республике, и предприятию. Но надо помнить, что возможности республики не безграничны. Бюджет формируется в регионах, его наполняемость зависит от эффективной работы реального сектора экономики. Поэтому ответы на многие вопросы стоит искать на местах, а не рассчитывать на «золотой дождь», который прольется сверху», — сказал заместитель премьер-министра.

На сегодняшний день, как пояснил генеральный директор ОАО «Нафтан» Владимир Третьяков, строятся семь новых установок, предусматривающих  улучшение технологических процессов. Конечно, это огромный объем работы и финансов, необходимых для их возведения. Основной угрозой является уменьшение средств, которые предприятие зарабатывает на внешних рынках, ввиду того, что  за два года нефть упала в цене более чем в три раза: со 110 до 30 долларов за баррель. Точно так же снизилась стоимость нефтепродуктов.

Это падение было компенсировано увеличением объемов реализации на экспорт, но в ценовом выражении выручку все равно не удалось восстановить. Поэтому сейчас, по словам Владимира Константиновича, следует действовать, прежде всего, за счет сокращения сроков  реализации  инвестиционных проектов и нахождения дополнительных кредитных ресурсов. Доля собственных средств, которые затрачиваются на реконструкцию, - около 70%.

—  2016 год, бесспорно, является ключевым для «Нафтана»,  потому что мы завершаем строительство и сдачу важнейших объектов, will. For example, a decision was made to take fuel oil from Naftan and use it in the Belenergo system as an alternative fuel: under the current conditions, this provides certain dividends to both the republic and the enterprise. But we must remember that the republic's capabilities are not limitless. The budget is formed in the regions, and its fullness depends on the effective performance of the real sector of the economy. Therefore, the answers to many questions should be sought locally, rather than counting on a "golden rain" that will pour from above," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

As of today, as explained by the General Director of Naftan OJSC, Vladimir Tretyakov, seven new units are under construction, which provide for the improvement of technological processes. Of course, this is a huge amount of work and finances required for their construction. The main threat is the reduction of funds that the enterprise earns on external markets, due to the fact that oil prices have fallen by more than three times in two years: from 110 to 30 dollars per barrel. Similarly, the cost of petroleum products has decreased.

This decline was compensated by an increase in export sales volumes, but in price terms, revenue could not be restored. Therefore, now, according to Vladimir Konstantinovich, it is necessary to act, first of all, by reducing the implementation periods of investment projects and finding additional credit resources. The share of own funds spent on reconstruction is about 70%.

— 2016 is undoubtedly a key year for Naftan, because we are completing the construction and commissioning of the most important facilities,– emphasized  Vladimir Tretyakov.

The commissioning of the AT-8 unit will increase the volume of primary oil refining from the current 10.8 to 12 million tons. This year, 11.6 million tons are planned due to the fact that the plant workers intend to complete the facility in September.

The launch of the hydrogen production unit is scheduled for December. Simultaneously, the construction of a unit for the production of elemental sulfur using the Claus method will be completed. This is an environmental project that will allow Novopolotsk residents not only to produce new products but, first and foremost, to guarantee an improvement in the state of the environment.

In addition, in December, the enterprise will be able to produce a larger volume of Euro-5 standard diesel fuel and improve its economics. The general director named the delayed coking of oil residues complex as the most important. After its launch, the depth of hydrocarbon raw material processing will increase from the current 70% to 88%, and additional volumes of light oil products, primarily diesel fuel, will appear. This process is the most complex and expensive, as it involves the construction of many auxiliary facilities.

 

Working meetings with the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister, as Vladimir Tretyakov noted, mobilize the team to perform tasks, allowing not only to report on the work done but also

to identify problems, to ask for help from other organizations, ministries and departments. For example, the Ministry of Architecture and Construction took measures in connection with an acute shortage of installers, and now at the construction sites of "Naftan" workers of relevant specialties from all regions of the country are working.

Larisa Malashenya. "Vitebskiye Vesti". Photo by Lyubov Dorogush.