South Africa’s power woes pile on diesel price pressure
South Africa’s government is facing increased opposition on the topic of fuel prices, driven by global demand but also by Eskom’s increased needs.
Refining
HYPREP talks up Ogoniland power connection within 12 months
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) is working on a plan to connect Ogoniland to the Nigerian power grid, in an extension of its original focus on remediating polluted lands.
NOC declares Gulf of Sirte force majeure, criticises oil minister
National Oil Corp. (NOC) has declared force majeure at Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, joining the Brega and Zueitina terminals.
Ghana protests prices, while government scrambles on refinery, pipeline
Ghana’s government is taking steps to tackle the fuel crisis, but protests are on the rise at the high price of living.
Hero saves Nigerian town from flaming tanker
A Nigerian driver drove a flaming tanker out of a Delta State community on June 11, winning plaudits for his heroism.
Petrojet, Taqa sign deals on Equatorial Guinea work
Egyptian companies have struck deals to carry out work in Equatorial Guinea, according to recent high-level talks.
Chinese companies sign on to MTBE build in Algeria
Sonatrach has signed a contract for China National Technical Import & Export Corp. (CNTIC) and Sinopec Luoyang Engineering (LPEC) to build a methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) facility at Arzew.
SERAP files suit against president over mismanaged refineries
A Nigerian NGO has filed a lawsuit against Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari over a string of alleged failures at the country’s four refineries.
Angola visits Houston, checks in on Cabinda refinery work
VFuels is making progress with its Cabinda refinery work at facilities in Houston, with equipment passing its factory acceptance testing (FAT).
Floods trigger Sasol force majeure
Floods in KwaZulu-Natal have disrupted some of Sasol’s chemical exports, the company has said, while reaffirming its hedging plans.
Petrol handout at Lagos party raises police ire
A Nigerian socialite has apologised for handing out petrol as a souvenir at a recent event in Lagos.
Report: Nigeria’s production shortfall disrupts fuel imports
Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. (NNPC) has run short of oil production, local reports have said, reducing its ability to meet domestic fuel needs.
Glencore pumps more oil, while “managing down”
Glencore has reported strong earnings for 2021, although in terms of energy it was largely driven by coal, rather than oil.
El Molla oversees slew of deals at Egypt show
Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El Molla has struck deals with Apache and Yemen, while backing plans for an Egyptian company to pursue petrochemical works in Nigeria.
BP, Shell to shutter South African refinery
BP and Shell are putting refinery operations at their Sapref plant on pause by the end of March, while considering a sale.
NNPC blames Litasco cargoes for fuel woes
Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. (NNPC) has named and shamed importers for bringing in sub-standard fuel products.
IMF counsels end to subsidies, as Nigeria talks extensions
Nigeria is benefiting from higher oil prices, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said, but its deficit will widen this year.
Dangote pushes 650,000 refinery start to end of year
Dangote Industries will commission its 650,000 barrels per day refinery by the end of the year, officials have told African Development Bank (AfDB) president Akinwumi Adesina.
Ghana pushes back sulphur limits for local fuel
Ghana has waived sulphur specifications on locally produced vehicle fuels in order to keep its refineries functioning.
Police should hunt illegal refineries, not own them, Wike warns
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has launched new plans to crack down on illegal refining, including tackling those facilities linked to the security forces.
Port Harcourt refinery fire contained
Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. (NNPC) has reported a “minor fire incidence” at its Port Harcourt refining complex.
Petrosen pushes for Senegal refinery investment despite opposition
A minority shareholder in Senegal’s refinery has compared its treatment to that of a sacrificial lamb, amidst protests on a recapitalisation.
Skikda refinery accident injures nine
An accident at Sonatrach’s Skikda refinery has injured nine workers, the company has reported.
Ghana’s next challenge for the oil industry
Ghana’s oil industry has had a fair amount of success in making its case to the local population, but a move onshore risks inflaming tensions.
NOC reports damage to Zawiya refinery
Clashes have “severely damaged” the Zawiya refinery, Libya’s National Oil Corp. (NOC) has reported.