Late October construction and maintenance update: Downstream

Africa

A public private partnership is seeking to construct a refinery in Ndola. The Bwana Mukubwa refinery will cost approximately US$ 600 million and is being built to hopefully help find solutions to fuel shortages and high prices in the country. The facility is expected to have a capacity of 5 million ltrs/d.

Middle East

International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) may spend US$ 6.5 billion on the construction of a 230 000 bpd refinery in Oman. The investment is expected to be split between IPIC and Oman Oil Company. IPIC may also invest US$ 3.5 billion in a 200 000 bpd facility in the UAE.

Bahrain’s Energy Minister Abdul Hussain Ali Mirza has announced plans to increase the country’s refining capacity by 2018. The government are looking to expand the country’s refining capacity by 205 000 bpd to 400 000 bpd.

Saudi Aramco are seeking in increase the company’s refining capacity in Saudi Arabia to 3.5 million bpd by 2016. This will be an increase of 900 000 bpd. Aramco are also expecting the three joint refineries constructed in partnership with Total in the Jubail region to commence operations next year. 

South Africa

Petro SA have announced that a final decision will be made on the construction of a new refinery in Coega by March 2012. The proposed US$ 10 billion Mthombo facility has already been given construction permission in the Coega industrial development zone near Port Elizabeth. The facility has an anticipated capacity of 400 000 bpd and would be the country’s largest refining facility.

US

BP’s Whiting refinery will be running at half capacity for a month as it undergoes planed maintenance. Maintenance is being carried out to upgrade the facility so it will be able to process heavy crudes.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/26102011/late_october_construction_and_maintenance_update_downstream/