The president of the Board of Directors of the Dominican Oil Refinery (Refidomsa), Leonardo Aguilera, announced yesterday the start of investigations aimed at locating hydrocarbons in exploitable quantities in the national territory.
In a speech during the Thanksgiving mass on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the state company, Aguilera said that a unit was created in Refidomsa to direct oil investigations.
In a speech during the Thanksgiving mass on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the state company, Aguilera said that a unit was created in Refidomsa to direct oil investigations.
“Finding usable oil in our territory would represent a huge step in seeking to lighten the heavy burden of importing all the hydrocarbons that our growing economy demands,” he said, in the presence of the guests at the mass.
He revealed that, in this direction, “we are in the process of signing some kind of agreement with friendly oil-producing countries. We deserve to undertake the effort, and we are doing it.”
Recognize failed attempts
He indicated that, although efforts of some importance have been carried out to verify said existence, “to date we have not been able to reach the satisfaction that the existence of oil in a commercially exploitable quantity would produce in all of us.”
He also announced that the company is advancing by leaps and bounds in the process of building the LPG spheres that will increase our storage capacity for this fuel, one of those that has the greatest impact on the lives of all Dominicans.
He stated that the company remains committed to guaranteeing the safe supply of all fuels.
“As you can see, in this the country can be sure that there have not been, nor will there be, doubts in our hands,” he said.
He said that upon assuming his duties, losses of 26 million dollars were projected, but in the end, instead of a strong red color, a light blue could be projected.
“That reality has changed, and today we feel the satisfaction of directing what is undoubtedly the most important company in the Dominican State, not only because of its economic value – which is high – but fundamentally because of its highly strategic value. This means that today the company is the master of its own destiny”, he explained.
Operations started in 1973
The Refinery opened its operations on February 24, 1973, being a joint venture between the Dominican State and the Shell International Petroleum Company, in an equal shareholding of 50 percent each, with the purpose of being the leading company in the refining of crude oil and petroleum derivatives in the country. Until last year, the Refinery was owned jointly with the Venezuelan State.
