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Refineries & Retail News

JustShare continues battle for Sasol to table shareholder-proposed resolution

By: Simone Liedtke 26th October 2021 Nonprofit shareholder activism organisation JustShare on October 26 said petrochemicals company Sasol had refused to table the sixth shareholder-proposed resolution filed with the company in five consecutive years. The organization said it believes Sasol’s refusal to table such resolutions seems... →

Sakhumnotho acquires 26% stake in Refinex, SA Tank Terminals

By: Schalk Burger 21st October 2021 Investment management company Sakhumnotho has acquired a 26% stake in the privately owned petrochemicals company Refinex and bulk liquid storage company South African Tank Terminals (SATT). This signifies the arrival of an important new player in the energy market, Sakhumnotho said. →

Sasol posts 44% jump in Q1 chemicals revenue

By: Reuters 21st October 2021 Sasol posted a 44% rise in first-quarter revenue in its main chemicals business on higher chemical and crude oil prices, it said on Thursday. Revenue from its chemicals business, which accounts for almost 60% of its turnover and profit, came in at $2.5-billion, driven largely by an average price... →

'Catastrophic' fuel price hike on the cards, AA warns

By: News24Wire 18th October 2021 A "catastrophic" fuel price hike is on the cards for November, the Automobile Association (AA) has warned. Based on its calculations, R20 per litre for petrol was "realistic" before the end of the year, it said in a statement on its website on Monday. →

Initiative aims to double industry supply in five years

By: Halima Frost 15th October 2021 The ‘Doubling of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Market’ initiative, driven by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association of South Africa (LPGSA), initiated in December 2019, is slowly gaining momentum after the inevitable impact of Covid-19 on... →

A stainless steel stove top with gas burners burning blue flame from an LPG gas supply, used for cooking

LPGSA MD Gadibolae Dihlabi discusses the plan to double the LPG sector over the next five years

Gas-to-power crucial to South Africa’s energy future

By: Halima Frost 15th October 2021 Multinational conglomerate General Electric Company (GE) Gas Power strategy & growth director Michael Konadu tells Mining Weekly that although there is no one solution to decrease South Africa’s carbon footprint, gas-to-power will be integral in the mix. He explains that South Africa’s Just... →

A large Gas Power Combined Cycle power plant designed by GE at dusk

TURNING TABLES The gas turbines offered by GE Gas To Power decrease a clients emissions substantially making a dent on its carbon footprint

October petrol price decreases; diesel, paraffin prices increase

By: Schalk Burger 5th October 2021 Fuel prices for petrol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will decrease from October 6, while diesel and illuminating paraffin prices will increase. Prices for 93-octane petrol will decrease by 4c/ℓ and prices for 95-octane petrol by 1 c/ℓ. →

Production site acquisition finalised

1st October 2021 Multinational industrial gas company Air Liquide’s acquisition of integrated chemicals and energy company Sasol’s 16 Air Separation Units (ASUs) in Secunda, Mpumalanga has now been finalised. The plan to acquire the ASUs was first announced on July 29 last year, subject to approvals. Engineering... →

A photo of seven air separation units and a pylon in the background

BIGGEST OXYGEN PRODUCTION SITE GLOBALLY The initial investment amounts to about R8-billion and comprises 16 air separation units that will now be operated by Air Liquide Large Industries South Africa Air

New drone tech improves inspection capabilities

By: Darren Parker 1st October 2021 Work-at-height company Skyriders has added the Zenith robotic inspection device –a new vertical inspection technology – to its portfolio of services. The winch-operated pan-tilt-zoom camera drone increases the accuracy and efficiency of repeat inspections in vertical downhole applications such as... →

A photo of the fully assembled Zenith robotic inspection device including camera, controller and tripod

DOWN-HOLE DREAM Skyriders first used the Zenith robotic inspection device in June for internal inspections on large petrochemicals tanks

Carbon tax ineffective against major emitters

By: Darren Parker 1st October 2021 South Africa’s “laughably weak and ineffective” carbon tax regime is no disincentive to carbon-intensive businesses, such as integrated chemicals and energy company Sasol, environmental activist organisation Greenpeace Africa climate and energy campaigner Thandile Chinyavanhu tells Engineering... →

A photo of a Sasol plant emitting pollution into the air while crops and flowers grow in the foreground

Photo by Reuters
PINING FOR CHANGE Greenpeace Africa ponders whether a just transition is possible while major emitters continue to be granted large-scale carbon tax allowances

More equipment donated in the fight against Covid-19

1st October 2021 Integrated chemicals and energy company Sasol has donated mobile clinics, vaccine carriers, laptops, specialised World Health Organisation-approved medical refrigerators and freezers, as well as temperature loggers to the provincial health departments in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Free State to... →

A photo of a healthworker’s hands filling out a form at a table with Covid-19 vaccinations lined up in the foreground

SPREADING THE CURE Sasol is supporting Government’s vaccination rollout strategy by donating essential equipment and resources

Refrigeration system to cut energy costs available

By: Halima Frost 17th September 2021 With South African retailers looking for ways of recovering from the latest lockdown, as well as the looting and vandalism, an opportunity to decrease costs on the system that comprises the bulk of their energy spend, which is refrigeration, has arisen. “All food retailers rely on refrigeration... →

A large solar installation on a clients roof installed by EP Refrigeration, which is grid-tied and decreases the clients reliance on grid power

LIGHT WORK Adding a solar installation to a company's refrigeration unit deceases the cost of running the unit off grid power alone

Nigeria's Dangote in talks with traders for oil refinery loan

By: Reuters 15th September 2021 Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote is in talks with some of the world's biggest oil traders to help finance his mega refinery project outside of Nigeria's commercial centre Lagos, sources with knowledge of the matter said. The 650 000 bl/d refinery, once complete, will be the continent's largest... →

Struggling fuel retail sector needs to transform, says FRA

By: Schalk Burger 7th September 2021 With margin erosion owing to poor implementation of the Regulatory Accounts System (RAS) leading to fuel retail outlets under-recovering about 12c a litre and alternatives to fuels being driven by customer demand and the global emissions reduction agenda, the fuel retail industry must transform... →

Dangote refinery complex in Nigeria set to cost $19bn

By: Bloomberg 2nd September 2021 A giant oil refinery complex being built in Nigeria by a company owned by Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, will cost more than double the amount originally projected. “Our capex will almost go to $19-billion by the time we finish,” Devakumar Edwin, group executive director of Dangote... →

Fully developed legislation needed

By: Nadine Ramdass 27th August 2021 The legislation has not caught up with where the gas industry needs it to be, says gas producer Renergen CEO and MD Stefano Marani. Technical aspects that are critical to companies’ decision-making have not yet been addressed, with industries in the gas sector consequently unable to develop to... →

An image of gas extraction at Renergen's Virginia Gas project

GAS EXTRACTION Renergen is the only onshore petroleum rights holder in South Africa

Sasol donates equipment to assist Free State govt in Covid-19 vaccine roll-out

By: Yvonne Silaule 23rd August 2021 Integrated energy and chemicalS company Sasol has donated equipment to the Free State provincial government to support the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines. The equipment included a custom-built mobile clinic, a Toyota Hi-Ace 14-seater minibus, five vaccine cold storage freezers, 25 vaccine... →

Fuel prices may dip in September if oil downtrend continues

By: News24Wire 17th August 2021 The latest calculations by the Central Energy Fund show that – at the current levels of the dollar/rand rate and oil prices – diesel prices may be cut slightly in September, while petrol could be hiked. According to the Automobile Association, the petrol price could increase by around 4c a litre,... →

Sasol expects full-year earnings to more than double

By: Donna Slater 6th August 2021 Chemicals and energy company Sasol reports that its earnings a share for the financial year ended June 30, are expected to be between R12 and R18, compared with the loss a share of R148.49 reported for the 2020 financial year. Sasol’s headline earnings per share (HEPS) are also expected to be... →

Nigeria approves $15.4bn refinery, railway projects

By: Bloomberg 6th August 2021 Nigeria’s government approved major transport and energy investments, including a stake in a giant private refinery, that are expected to cost $15.4-billion. Ministers in the West African nation signed off Wednesday on the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corp.’s proposed purchase of a 20%... →

Sasol donates R10m to help rebuild businesses, communities affected by unrest

By: Creamer Media Reporter 5th August 2021 Energy and chemicals company Sasol has committed R10-million to help rebuild businesses and communities that have been devastated by the recent unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The funds were raised through corporate donation, employee giving mobilisation and small, medium-sized and... →

Caltex service stations to be rebranded as Astron Energy

By: Donna Slater 4th August 2021 All Caltex-branded service stations in South Africa and Botswana will be rebranded as Astron Energy. Astron owns South Africa’s second largest petroleum network and there are over 850 Caltex-branded service stations in South Africa and Botswana. →

Africa needs to spend $15.7bn on refineries to curb emissions

By: Bloomberg 4th August 2021 African nations need to spend about $15.7-billion on their refineries to curb emissions and meet climate-change targets as demand for oil and gas surges, according to an industry lobby group. Governments on the continent should focus on reducing sulfur levels in petroleum products because... →

Energy industry veteran Dr Thabo Kgogo passes away

By: Marleny Arnoldi 3rd August 2021 The family of energy industry veteran Dr Thabo Kgogo has advised of his passing from Covid-19 complications on July 30. Most recently, he served as CEO of asset manager Gemcorp Energy’s refineries business, which has two refineries under construction in Liberia and Angola –Kgogo had been... →

Sasol says its energy business delivers satisfactory full-year performance

By: Schalk Burger 27th July 2021 Integrated energy and chemicals multinational Sasol's energy business had delivered a satisfactory performance, in line with expectations, for the financial year ended June 30. The company on July 27 reported that its integrated value chain had benefitted from higher oil prices in the second half... →

Sasol partners with Mpumalanga govt, launches five-day vaccination drive

By: Yvonne Silaule 26th July 2021 Energy and chemicals company Sasol's Secunda operations has, in partnership with the Mpumalanga government, launched a five-day Covid-19 vaccination drive, starting on July 26. This formed part of the preparation for the operations' upcoming annual maintenance shutdown taking place from August 30... →

Sapref refinery to begin restart on July 21

By: Reuters 21st July 2021 South Africa's largest crude oil refinery, Sapref, will begin restarting on July 21, after temporarily shutting down as a wave of violent looting swept across the country, the operators said in a statement on Tuesday. The refinery, situated in the east coast port city of Durban, shut down last... →

Afrox working with authorities to ensure deliveries of medical oxygen to hospitals

By: Creamer Media Reporter 15th July 2021 Gas supplier Afrox says it is working with the authorities and that hospital deliveries to areas affected by civil strife remain a priority where police escort is available. As a result of the unrest across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in recent days, and in order to meet demand for medical oxygen,... →

Two suspects arrested for allegedly tampering with Transnet's pipelines infrastructure

By: Schalk Burger 9th July 2021 State-owned freight logistics group Transnet says increased surveillance and security measures put in place along the Transnet Pipelines network has led to a further two suspects being arrested for attempting to tamper with the pipelines. This brings the total arrests for the past three months to... →

Drone and NDT firm join forces

By: Halima Frost 9th July 2021 Materials testing and inspection service provider Dekra Industrial has joined forces with aerial solutions and drone services company Sky Africa Drones to offer a drone inspection service that combines the technologies of high scope non-destructive testing (NDT) systems with the manoeuvrability... →

SKY HIGH The use of drones to conduct non-destructive testing on taller installations and hard to reach areas is even more possible

Itochu partners with Shell to lower its mining sites’ carbon footprint

By: Donna Slater 1st July 2021 Petrochemicals company Shell International and Tokyo-headquartered investment firm Itochu Corporation have agreed to collaborate to accelerate the digitalisation and decarbonisation of Itochu’s mining sites, as well as increase the operational efficiency thereof. Shell will offer its sectoral... →

Petronas is eying potential exit for African fuel retailer Engen

By: Bloomberg 23rd June 2021 Petroliam Nasional (Petronas) is reviving discussions on a potential exit from South African fuel retailer business Engen, people familiar with the matter said. The Malaysian state energy company is studying options for its 74% stake in Engen, including a sale or initial public offering,... →

Petrol price to decrease, but diesel price to rise

By: Schalk Burger 1st June 2021 The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on May 31 announced a 10 c/ℓ decrease in the petrol price for June. The price of 0.005% sulphur diesel will, however, increase by 21 c/ℓ and that of 0.05% sulphur diesel by 20 c/ℓ. →

Three oil firms, Nigeria's NNPC in talks to buy stake in Dangote refinery

By: Reuters 31st May 2021 Four oil firms including Nigeria's state-oil company have approached Dangote Industries to acquire a stake in Africa's largest oil refinery, a senior executive told Reuters on Friday. Devakumar Edwin, group executive director, said the firms from Western and Middle East countries and involved in... →

Future of oil refining in South Africa highly uncertain

By: Terence Creamer 30th April 2021 South Africa’s oil refinery sector is expected to undergo significant changes in the coming five years, with Engen having already indicated that it will repurpose its refinery site in Durban as a fuel importation terminal and with global and domestic shifts likely to place significant pressure on... →

Engen Refinery to be repurposed as an import facility

South Africa's energy transition

30th April 2021 Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about more signs that the energy transition is starting to have a real impact in South Africa with Engen's planned refinery closure, moves by the eThekwini municipality to buy electricity from independent power... →

South Africa's energy transition

Engen to shut refinery and repurpose KZN site as an import terminal

By: Terence Creamer 23rd April 2021 South African petroleum products group Engen announced on Friday that it would shut the Engen Refinery and convert the site, located south of Durban, into an import terminal and product storage facility by the end of 2023. Engen said the refinery-to-terminal (RTT) repurposing initiative was based... →

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