Last week, the University of Nicosia SPE Student Chapter had the incredible opportunity to go behind the scenes at two key pillars of Cyprus’ energy sector: the Petrolina Vassilikos fuel terminal and Nortest laboratories. 🚀
A huge thank you to our hosts for an insightful and hands-on experience! Here’s a glimpse of what we learned:
â›˝ Petrolina Vassilikos Fuel Terminal
Operated by Petrolina Holdings Ltd., this facility is Cyprus’ leading energy hub, managing the majority of the island’s petroleum product import, storage, and distribution.
Our visit started with a great introduction by Terminal Manager Stephanos Christophides, who outlined their daily operations and the facility’s key installations. After a thorough safety briefing, we suited up and explored the plant. Highlights included:
- Walking through the bridger loading lanes, where fuel is dispatched daily to airports, petrol stations, and industrial sites across Cyprus.
- Viewing their colour and additives blending equipment and jet fuel filtration systems.
- Seeing their state-of-the-art Vapour Recovery Unit (VRU) in action—a clear testament to their commitment to meeting regulatory standards by ensuring no vapors escape into the atmosphere.
- A hands-on highlight: we got to conduct Jet A-1 field testing, measuring density and electroconductivity ourselves!
🔬 Nortest Laboratories
Located in the Mari industrial area, Nortest serves as the dedicated quality control authority. Every batch of imported petroleum products undergoes rigorous testing here to meet legal and regulatory standards before reaching the market.
Our host, Kyriaki Dalmira, gave us a detailed tour of the various apparatuses used to test fuel samples, ensuring every parameter matches the dispatching refinery’s paperwork.
🤝 A Partnership That Works Like Clockwork
What truly stood out was the seamless collaboration between the two entities. Samples move between Petrolina and Nortest 24/7, allowing for rapid results that ensure smooth operations. It was a powerful reminder that quality assurance isn’t just a final step—it’s integrated into daily practice from start to finish.
Beyond testing, Nortest also provides critical maintenance services for the Vassilikos terminal, from calibrating flow meters to maintaining pipe coating and thermometers. Their synergy is truly astonishing.
A big thank you to the Petrolina and Nortest teams for hosting us, sharing your invaluable expertise, and giving our chapter such a memorable glimpse into the interconnected reality of the industry.
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