The demand for liquid fuels in Africa is growing, given the continent’s strong economic growth relative to developed countries, says refined petroleum company Engen Petroleum director of corporate planning Dave Wright.

He mentions that new resource finds in East Africa, in particular, are likely to be a long-term game changer for the energy sector and adds that the continent’s speedy economic development will result in job creation, which, in turn, will contribute to the reversal of impoverishment in Africa.

Wright will participate in a panel discussion on liquid fuels in Africa at this year’s 2013 Africa Energy Indaba (AEI), which will take place from February 19 to 21 at the Sandton Convention Centre, and is keen to hear his fellow panel members’ views on the recent oil and gas discoveries in East Africa.

“I am particularly interested in the impact of these finds on the functioning of the indus- try in this region,” he says, adding that, from a liquid fuels perspective, some of the challenges facing Africa include the distribution of fuel and the regulatory environment.

Wright proposes that the distribution challenge be met with more investment and suggests that industry and governments work together to develop “win-win solutions” for sector regulation.

Besides his participation as a panel member at the AEI, delegates can look forward to Engen Petroleum’s floor exhibit. T

he petroleum major, which holds the bulk of the petroleum market in South Africa, has launched a tailor-made, ‘intelligent’ unleaded petrol that aims to provide superior performance and economical benefits.

Engen’s new unleaded petrol comes with a multifunctional detergent additive package that delivers “excellent clean-up” and “keep-clean benefits” throughout the fuel distribution system, says fuel technology manager Pierre Malherbe.

“The fuel removes deposits and helps return the engine as close to its original design conditions as possible. The benefits apply equally to older engines and modern direct-injection gasoline engines,” he adds.

Further, Engen’s Primax Unleaded additive pack contains a friction modifier that reduces friction in the engine and improves lubricity to ensure energy efficiency and better fuel economy, while an organic combustion improver enables a more complete combustion of the fuel to release more energy.

Engen has also introduced the company’s next generation of Dynamic Diesel, which features additive technology.

“The cleaning properties will be obvious to anyone who drives a diesel car because performance improves within a relatively short time,” says Malherbe.

Engen sales and marketing GM Joe Mahlo says the launch of the company’s new fuel follows extensive market research on South Africa’s fuel market, which was conducted last year.

“Motorists who drive petrol vehicles do not want to choose between performance and economy, though they appreciate the importance of clean engines. Motorists who drive diesel vehicles, however, want economy above all, while both types of motorist want their fuel to keep up with global technology advances.”