Page 13 - DMEA Week 50 2021

DMEA NEWS IN BRIEF DMEA

REFINING energy for transportation and cooking in the LPG storage capacity above 50,000 metric
coming years. tons (MTs) leading to uneconomic cargoes
6% rise in Iran refinery Kragha, noted that with growing energy and increased LPG landed costs. This overall
Executive Secretary of ARDA, Anibor
situation has resulted in Africa petroleum
output demand and rapidly rising population over products shortfall (demand vs. refinery
next two decades, delivering refineries of the
output) growing significantly over the years
The director of coordination and supervision future which produce cleaner fuels in the which poses significant concerns for Africa’s
of operations of the National Iranian Oil near-term while also focusing on higher value energy security as the continent remains
Refining and Distribution Co. (NIORDC) petrochemicals, was vital. heavily reliant on imports.
announced a 6% increase in the output of Kragha, according to a statement by the He stated that significant investments
Iran’s refineries. association, stated this in a presentation at the were required in integrated refining and
According to Mehrnews, Saeed Madah Africa Energy Futures Forum held recently petrochemicals plants to meet growing
Moravej on the process of increasing refining during the 23rd World Petroleum Congress in demand and reduce imports as well as in
of condensate and crude oil in the country’s Houston, Texas. large-scale LPG infrastructure to effectively
refineries, said: “The refining performance He stated that producing clean fuel was promote replacement of biomass with LPG as
of crude oil and gas condensate in 2020 the continent’s best option to lowering the clean cooking alternative across Africa.
was equal to 2.045 million barrels per day. environmental footprint of the refineries and VANGUARD
This year, despite overhauls in refineries averting serious potential public health issues.
and other downstream units, this figure has He explained that it has now become Bayelsa govt warns against
reached 2,170,000 barrels per day with some imperative for African countries to adopt a
modifications to the distillation and refining unique Energy Transition Plan that promotes illegal oil refining, other
units of the refineries.” cleaner transport and cooking fuels in the
He added: “This figure indicates a 6% rise near-term while taking on proven, cost- crimes
in crude oil and gas condensate refined in the effective renewable energy solutions in the
country’s refineries and has increased output mid-to-longer term. Bayelsa State government has again urged
of petroleum products by the same amount.” Kragha also stated that the path to youths in the state to desist from polluting
The official said despite this rise, gasoline delivering this African Energy Transition Plan the environment through illegal refining of
consumption has risen by 15% in the country. will require an accompanying finance plan petroleum products.
Moravej stated: “The average daily gasoline which will promote investments in world- Governor Douye Diri made the call,
consumption of the country has increased class, integrated refinery and petrochemicals weekend, while speaking at the open-air
from 75.5 million litres last year to 86 million complexes as well as critical LPG storage and funeral service in honour of late Elder Dick
litres per day. distribution infrastructure. Akpolo at Odi, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local
SHANA With only 20 countries in Africa have Government Area of the state.
refining operations, with their capacity He lamented that illegal oil refining was
Africa needs flexible, utilization down to 55 percent on average, compounding the age-long problem of
environmental pollution and degradation
Kragha stated that existing refineries will
efficient refineries to meet need to be upgraded to produce AFRI-6 (10 caused by the seismic and exploration
activities of the multinational oil companies
ppm sulphur) fuels in line with ARDA AFRI
demand Fuels Roadmap, while new refineries, like the operating in Niger Delta.
The governor, who was represented by
Dangote Refinery in Nigeria and the ERC
The African Refiners and Distributors Refinery in Mostorod, Egypt, will be designed his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo,
Association (ARDA) has pointed out that to produce these cleaner fuels. noted that the unwholesome refining of
flexible and efficient refineries were needed on Kragha also lamented the current situation crude oil is a major contributing factor to the
the continent to meet the demand for clean whereby only six (6) African nations have dramatic changes in the weather pattern being

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