Production of petroleum products continuing under lockdown − Sapia
The South African Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia) has confirmed that the production and distribution of petroleum products is continuing during the 21-day national lockdown, as the liquid fuels industry forms part of essential products and services.
Although two refineries are currently shut down, Sapia confirms that security of demand is not at risk.
Fuels, lubricants and oil-based products distributor and marketer Engen halted its Durban refinery’s operations on March 27 for a temporary controlled shutdown. In a statement, Engen indicated that the controlled activity was the result of forecasted lower demand for petroleum products during the national lockdown as significantly fewer people would require petrol.
Petroleum products supplier Astron Energy’s Cape Town refinery also shut down operations for planned maintenance prior to the national lockdown.
However, in compliance with Covid-19 regulations, all non-essential maintenance work has been delayed.
Startup of Astron Energy’s refinery will likely be delayed until the end of May.
In line with this, Sapia reports that there is a demand decline of close to 60%.
Sapia executive director Avhapfani Tshifularo says the petroleum industry remains vigilant and will continue to monitor the situation throughout this period to ensure that the demand for supply is consistently met.
“The highest precautionary measures have been put in place to protect the health and wellbeing of all employees required to deliver these services and products.”
Comments
Press Office
Announcements
What's On
Subscribe to improve your user experience...
Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):
Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):
All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors
including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.
Already a subscriber?
Forgotten your password?
Receive weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine (print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
➕
Recieve daily email newsletters
➕
Access to full search results
➕
Access archive of magazine back copies
➕
Access to Projects in Progress
➕
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA
R4500 (equivalent of R375 a month)
SUBSCRIBEAll benefits from Option 1
➕
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports on various industrial and mining sectors, in PDF format, including on:
Electricity
➕
Water
➕
Energy Transition
➕
Hydrogen
➕
Roads, Rail and Ports
➕
Coal
➕
Gold
➕
Platinum
➕
Battery Metals
➕
etc.
Receive all benefits from Option 1 or Option 2 delivered to numerous people at your company
➕
Multiple User names and Passwords for simultaneous log-ins
➕
Intranet integration access to all in your organisation