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Mid April downstream news: Africa, Asia and the Middle East

Hydrocarbon Engineering,


Nigeria

Prominent Nigerian businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to establish a refinery in the country. Dangote hopes that work on the US$ 8 million project will commence this year.

Previously, in 2011, the Nigerian government granted approval for 19 multinational firms to establish private refineries. However, none were able to come on stream due to regulations on the price of fuel in the country.

Dangote has urged the government to allow market forces to determine the price of fuel and allow the private sector a more significant role in the industry. The businessman has argued that this is a vital step towards providing for the rapidly expanding population.

Also in Nigeria, 23 illegal refineries have been discovered along the River Niger coastline. The refineries were identified by a joint operation between the Nigerian army and Navy. In a statement released following the operation, the organisations expressed their intention to quash such illicit activities, citing a zero tolerance policy.

Algeria

The Algerian government has announced plans to double its refining capacity within the next five years, in order to meet growing demand in its petrochemicals industry.

Currently, Algeria has a refining capacity of approximately 700 000 bpd. By doubling this value, officials hope that the country will be able to meet its domestic needs until 2040.

China

A recent fire has forced Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co. to shut a residue hydrocracker. The blaze, which was caused by a leak at the unit, was extinguished rapidly and all other units were undamaged. The company is working to resume production shortly.

Iran

An e 2.6 billion deal has been struck between Iran’s oil industry and a consortium of Iranian and foreign companies, to conduct dramatic improvement work to the Abadan refinery in the country’s south west region.

The consortium has been tasked with implementing the second phase of the refinery’s development plan, which it is hoped will increase the refinery’s capacity from 6 million l to 21 million l.

Meanwhile, the Iranian deputy oil minister has announced plans to establish a new petrochemicals hub near the Sea of Oman, facilitating exports to India and China. The project will require US$ 20 billion in investment.

Both projects form part of a wider scheme to drive up the country’s petrochemical export value. The National Iranian Petrochemical Company has outlined plans for overall exports equalling 17 million t this Iranian calendar year, in contrast to approximately 12.5 million t last year.

Pakistan

The Pakistan State Oil Company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for establishing an oil refinery with a capacity of 40 000 bpd.

The project represents an attempt to overcome the concentration of refineries in coastal regions, enabling exports to landlocked Afghanistan.

Edited from various sources by Emma McAleavey.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/15042013/mid_april_downsteam_news_africa_asia_middle_east/

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