Falling oil production around the world and the gradual decline in the global peak oil flow rate will negatively impact South Africa, which imports 70% of its fuel needs. This is the view of Dr Jeremy Wakeford, a renowned energy and sustainability economist and one of the main speakers at a Petroleum Industry Conference. It takes place alongside the Petro.t.ex Africa trade exhibition at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg on 14 and 15 May 2013.The show is part of the SA Industry and Technology Fair - a synergistic mix of 10 new and exciting events targeting manufacturing, engineering, water, petrochemical, plastics and energy sectors.

Dr Wakeford is also the Chairperson of the South African chapter of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil (ASPO), an international think-tank researching and advising on the implications of global oil depletion. “Peak oil is not about running out of oil; it’s about the eventual all-time maximum ‘peak’– the crucial flow rate – and subsequent decline of annual global oil production,” explains Wakeford. Global conventional crude oil production peaked in 2008, and world oil exports have been stagnant since 2005. While unconventional oil production is growing, it is expensive and environment-unfriendly. These trends pose significant socio-economic threats to the world, including South Africa, which depends on oil imports for 70% of its liquid fuel supplies. Dr Wakeford’s presentation at the Petro.t.ex conference will consider the likely impacts of oil price shocks and discuss a range of mitigation options for reducing SA's reliance on foreign oil.

Oil Refining in South Africa
Another conference speaker is Avhapfani Tshifularo, Executive Director of the South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA). He will discuss South Africa’s oil refinery industry and factors affecting production and demand. “With our current refining capacity, we are unable to produce sufficient fuel to meet local demand, which forces the country to import refined product,” says Tshifularo. “We expect diesel consumption to increase by 4.5% a year and petrol consumption to grow by 1% a year between now and 2020.”

Full Programme of Conference Speakers
Conference delegates can expect a detailed overview of challenges and opportunities in the petroleum industry from many expert speakers. Other confirmed speakers include:

• ‘Keynote Address: South Africa’s Future in the Oil Industry, by consultant Steve Harber
• Craig Reid, CEO, Fuel Online who will present on ‘World Class Customer Service Through Technology And Innovation’

“The Petro.t.ex Africa Conference should be seen as a valuable opportunity for stakeholders in the petroleum market to ask questions and get answers from leading experts in the industry,” says Bette McNaughton, the organiser of the conference. “Delegates will also benefit from the many business opportunities that are integral to Petro.t.ex, Africa’s biggest petroleum industry trade exhibition.”
Opportunities and Issues at Petro.t.ex Conference

The conference also aims to identify specific factors which present potential business opportunities for stakeholders. Some examples include:

• Uganda – Refinery Upgrade to increase production output
• Alternative Fuels – The Future of Gas in South Africa
• How R23-billion Transnet Pipelines (NMPP) will boost the economy
• Rebuilding South Africa’s ageing refinery infrastructure
• Sanctions on Iran and its effect on oil imports and crude prices
• Durban – Plans for the old Airport and enlarging the harbour.


• Environment – To Frack or not to Frack in the Karoo
• Passenger vehicles – Future Fuel needs and types, OEM requirements
• Forecourt Future –Service Station Sustainability
• BP Express Upgrade Project – three year investment.

Petro.t.ex – Component of INDUTEC

The Petro.t.ex Africa Expo and Conference is Southern Africa’s largest mid- and downstream event for the petroleum and petrochemicals industry. Petro.t.ex is part of INDUTEC, the South African Industry and Technology Fair 2013, a synergistic mix of 10 new and exciting events targeting the manufacturing, engineering, water, petrochemical, plastics and energy sectors.