New Chevron refinery GM prioritises fuel security, skills development

Oil company Chevron South Africa has appointed Victor Bester as GM of its Cape Town Refinery, in Milnerton.

Commenting on his appointment, Bester said that fuel security and skills development remained top priorities for the country and that Chevron South Africa’s commitment to safely contributing petroleum products to the country was vital to the economic development of the Western Cape and to the country.

Chevron noted in a statement on Monday that the official mandate of the former Cape Town Refinery operations manager would be to spearhead the refinery’s efforts in meeting South Africa’s fuel needs and to focus on the complex transformational and environmental prerogatives of Chevron South Africa.

“[Bester] will pay specific attention to the streamlining of processes and the strengthening of the organisational capability of the refinery so that it operates competitively,” said Chevron, adding that Bester last month oversaw the successful completion of the refinery’s yearly safety and maintenance inspections, which injected about R40-million into the local economy and created an additional 300 jobs.

This operation followed the refinery’s biggest maintenance and safety inspection last year, which resulted in an estimated economic injection of R412-million.
 
“We place the highest priority on the health and safety of our employees and the communities in which we operate. By constantly investing in maintaining the high safety and reliable operation standards practised at the refinery, we reduce the chance of environmental incidents,” said Bester, adding that he aimed to work closely with environmental authorities to constantly improve the refinery’s environmental performance.

He further noted that Chevron’s vision remained one of partnership and performance, where it converted raw crude oil into finished products, while making a substantial commitment to the communities in which it operated. “This year the Chevron Cape Town Refinery celebrates 50 years of successful refining and significant contribution to the country,” he added.
 
Bester further highlighted the Cape Town Refinery’s role as an important employer in the Western Cape and reiterated his aim to enhance the refinery’s socioeconomic contribution, in line with Chevron South Africa’s transformation agenda, while safeguarding the environment in which it operated. 

“When it comes to the development of technical careers, the refinery runs an operator learnership programme which is [National Qualifications Framework 2]-accredited. Learners are provided with skills so that they become our pipeline to fill vacancies. [Further], our corporate social investment programmes, which are important priorities for us, are designed to promote education, small enterprise development and fight HIV,” he said.
 
Meanwhile, according to an independent assessment of the Cape Town Refinery’s socioeconomic impact, conducted by Econex, the plant created 13 000 supplier and contractor jobs, in addition to the direct employment of 500 staff.

Nationally, the refinery generated more than R18-billion, or 0.6% of South Africa’s total gross domestic product. Currently, 100% of the aeroplanes at Cape Town International Airport were powered by Chevron’s Cape Town Refinery jet fuel. Further, 95% of the cars on Western Cape roads were fuelled by the refinery.
 
Chevron South Africa executive chairperson Shashi Rabbipal said he was delighted with Bester’s appointment. “With his knowledge of Chevron’s international best practice and local know-how, we are confident he can provide the strategic leadership that this complex industrial enterprise requires,” he concluded.