Cristian Bolohan, Manager of Projects and Investments, Rompetrol : Beyond investments, modernization programs, transformations, digitization, there are the people

A journey into the refinery’s past and present

Over 45 years ago, Petromidia began writing its history on the seashore, in Năvodari. The decision to locate the refinery was made after a helicopter flyover, determining that the current location met all the essential conditions: proximity to the sea, a town that could be developed, and a vast amount of available space.

Continuous modernizations supported by the sole shareholder, KazMunayGas, such as the major investment project in the period 2008-2012, increased the refinery’s capacity to 5 million tons, consolidating its status as a national and regional leader.
Petromidia is a refinery with a high complexity index and processes high-sulfur crude oil, obtaining exclusively Euro 5 products. Petromidia works integrated with Vega, the second refinery of the Group, to which it sends semi-finished products that result in value-added products. Vega is the only local producer of road bitumen and polymer-modified bitumen.

Also within the Petromidia refinery, the only petrochemical unit in Romania operates. In 2008, the refinery put into operation the only marine terminal, located 8.6 km from the Midia Port, which supplies the refinery with crude oil through underground and land pipelines. In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Petromidia developed a new petrochemical grade, used for the filter material in protective masks, thus marking a continuous adaptation of the refinery. After years of successive financial losses, caused by market volatility, 2022 was one of the best years in Rompetrol’s history. Petromidia is one of the main engines of industries in the region, with new production records.

Evolution, adapting to the new demands of the present and alignment with current trends are essential for any company, even more so when we are talking about a refinery. This requires investments, but also dedicated people, good professionals who respect themselves enough to excel.

Cristian Bolohan, Manager of Projects and Investments, has been involved since 2005 in several projects, which made Rompetrol (KMG International) maintain its commitments to customers and the community, as well as its high quality standard.

Read below his insights:

How long have you been employed by the company and what does your job entail?

My career in Petromidia started in March 2003 and for several years I have been coordinating the investment programs for the refining division, the petrochemical division and the Vega refinery. Throughout the 21 years I have been involved in major investment projects that have allowed us to evolve and be market leaders in terms of product quality and more.

What made you want to work here?

I have always been a pragmatic person and I knew exactly what I wanted. Ever since I was in high school, I wanted to work in the Petromidia refinery. It was my goal, for which I studied and worked, especially since my favorite subject was chemistry. After finishing high school, I chose to follow the courses of the Oil Processing Technology and Petrochemistry Faculty at the Ovidius University on the chosen path to the Petromidia platform. Because I was persistent and especially because I always liked what I do, I got where I wanted.

What does working in Petromidia mean for you and your career?

Professionalism means everything. I have been working since I was a student. I took the bachelor exam when I was already a few months into my employment. I remember working shifts at that time, and after I got off the third shift I was studying for exams and I had to finish my bachelor’s thesis as well. I started my activity as I consider it normal for anyone who crosses the threshold of the refinery for the first time, with the first position, namely field operator, considering my specialization.

I worked in the polypropylene plant of the petrochemical division. I then moved into the refinery through various positions, from in-line mixing plant engineer, to process engineer in the technical department, then project manager for a series of major refinery transformation investments between 2005-2012. In 2013 I took over the technical department as a director, and starting from 2023 I am in charge of the investment area. In each of these stages I learned a great deal from the people I met. And I’m not just talking professionally, but also from the human point of view. I learned what professionalism means, I learned what it means to be open, honest and do things the right way.

What impact did Petromidia have and has for the development of the area?

It is clear to everyone that Rompetrol Rafinare is a strategic company in Romania. Its placement on the Black Sea, in Năvodari, brings added value to the Dobrogea area. Statistics show that the existence of the refinery in this area made the city of Năvodari develop and prosper. In fact, since the county Chamber of Commerce has existed, Rompetrol has taken 1st place for years in a row, having the highest turnover. And if we talk about vertical development, we have a general contractor – Rominserv, which takes care of all the works on the platform, we have subcontractors specialized according to the works, we collaborate with various industrial equipment companies. All this means jobs, it means development, it means evolution.

How important is the team to the activity in a refinery?

I repeat this like a mantra, but it is one of the things learned here: beyond investments, modernization programs, transformations, digitizations, there are the people. All are done with and by people. It cannot be otherwise and it will remain so in the future even if artificial intelligence is talked about quite a lot. It will be used in a new era of industrialization, but behind the processes people will still remain.

How has working with people helped you evolve?

Both professionally, but not only, the growth that I consider organic, which has come naturally, is due to everyone here. I am of the “old school”, I learned from those who built this complex. I often hear about burning stages. I do not consider this wrong, but I am sure that at some point it will have a boomerang effect precisely at crucial moments. The only thing allowed is to learn from the mistakes of others, here you can gain time and experience. If you prefer to burn stages others may learn from your mistakes.

Is there a lesson that you have learned in these years of activity that you would like to pass on?

I strongly believe that you should not invest in anything else more than you invest in yourself. The only things that no one can take away from you are the knowledge you have acquired.

And something else. Before asking for something, offer. You will see that you can receive without asking, and the motivation in this case is much deeper, it is about the human side. When you are good, you receive and give at the same time.