Downstream news: Asia, Middle East and Africa

Algeria

After a fire at the Sonatrach owned Skikda refinery on 14th February, it has been announced that full operations at the plant will start in the first week of March. The plant has been partially shut since July 2012 and this fire has meant that a full restart has been delayed.

Iran

3.725 million t of petrochemicals were exported out of Iran in the first 11 months of the country’s calendar year. These exports are work approximately US$ 3.53 billion. Iran Petrochemical Commerce Company exported the majority of the 3.725 million figure.

Nigeria

If flaws in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) recently passed by the Lagos government are not amended, it is likely that the NNPC and a consortium of Chinese investors will pull out of constructing a new refinery in the country. The fate of the 300 000 bpd Greenfield Lekki refinery now rests on the Nigerian governments action.

Pakistan

Iran has agreed to set up a US$ 4 billion refinery near the port of Gwadar in Pakistan. The plant is expected to have a processing capacity of 400 000 bpd. A Memorandum of Understanding is to be signed this week.

Qatar

It has been announced that Qatar plans to increase petrochemical output to 23 million tpy by 2020. The Qatari Minister of Energy and Industry made the announcement at a recent conference.

Sri Lanka

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation is planning on upgrading Sri Lanka’s only refinery. US$ 1.5 billion is to be invested in the plant to double capacity from 50 000 bpd and boost light distillate yields.

Adapted from various sources by Claira Lloyd.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/25022013/asia_africa_middleeast_news-332/