turenkey peanut oil refinery system in south africa

                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
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  • Which Durban refineries have made good on their threats?
  • In the latest round, the two Durban refineries made good on their threats. Engen (Petronas) in 2020, following an explosion and fire, and Sapref (Shell and BP) after its temporary closure during the insurrection in July 2021. Natref appears to be playing a waiting game on the government¡¯s latest deadline, which has been shifted from 2023 to 2027.
  • Is Natref a surviving oil refinery in South Africa?
  • Natref is the last surviving oil refinery in South Africa. Three others were closed in the past two years. These refinery closures and the possible permanent closure of the Natref refinery are shots fired in the long running contestation between the oil refiners and the government, which has been trying to introduce cleaner fuels specifications.
  • Who owns Natref oil refinery?
  • The refinery is owned by Natref, a joint venture between the chemical and energy company Sasol ¨C the majority shareholder ¨C and Total Energies. No details have been given about the closure. But it is a rare occurrence and probably a consequence of disruptions to global logistics and oil supplies caused by Russia¡¯s invasion of Ukraine.
  • How did the government blackmail the refinery industry?
  • Initially, it sought to blackmail the government by threatening closure unless the government gave it the capital to upgrade its refineries, without any consequent ownership rights. The industry euphemistically termed this a ¡°cost recovery mechanism¡±. The government eventually backed down from its deadlines.
  • What happened at Engen oil refinery?
  • Firefighters putting out a fire at an Engen oil refinery on 4 December 2020 in Durban, South Africa. Gallo Images via GettyImages
  • How will the refinery closures affect the future of auto manufacturing?
  • The refinery closures hold implications for the future of auto manufacturing and transport in the country. In the short term, fuel imports are meeting demand. But the auto manufacturers face a new threat to their European markets ¨C electric vehicles.