Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has promised that the newly MANCAP-certified pressure vessels of Aveon Offshore Limited would accelerate ‘take-off’ of refineries being refurbished by the Federal Government.
It explained that foreign exchange would be saved, as there will no longer be need to import equipment to re-service the refineries. SON, after its assessment, at the weekend, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, issued a certificate for Aveon ASME vessels with 11 tonnes capacity, equipment manufactured by the firm, which specialises in the processing of oil and gas.
The Guardian learnt that with the new development, Aveon has become the first company in the oil and gas sector to manufacture pressure vessels duly certified by SON.
SON Director General, Farouk Salim, who expressed satisfaction over the feat, said the move was in pursuit of excellence in the industry for real economic growth and job creation, urging others in the fabrication sector to come up with tools globally acceptable.
Salim, who was represented by Director of Management System Certification, Felix Nyado, stated that patronising local content has become necessary to encourage indigenous industries attract foreign patronage.
On how the equipment would facilitate operations of the refineries, Acting Director of SON in charge of South South region, Dr. Samuel Ayuba, said: “I think with these equipment now, they don’t need to travel anywhere to buy or refurbish them. All they need to do is to contact Aveon Offshore and similar organisations that produce these equipment that meet standards and patronise them. It takes about six months to bring in vessels from abroad to Nigeria, while here, you can fabricate and move it within one day to the refinery.”
Engineering Manager for Aveon Offshore Limited, Awa Osonwa, remarked: “For me, it is a great achievement because we have had companies that are manufacturing pressure vessels for the past 20 years and yet, Aveon Offshore just started few years ago and has gone a step ahead to get certification.”
Source: Guardian.ng