Johannesburg - The energy ministry said on Wednesday that SA has been hit by shortages of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and bitumen due to problems at four of the country’s six refineries.
“The industry confirmed that four of the refineries are not in a position to produce LPG during this week,” the ministry said.
“The growing unplanned shutdowns are becoming a threat to security of supply of some of the petroleum products particularly LPG and bitumen.”
It did not name the refineries, but two have said previously they are having problems affecting production.
Engen Petroleum’s 125 000 barrels-per-day refinery will be shut until the end of November due to a fire and planned maintenance works at the plant.
State-owned PetroSA said its 45 000 bpd gas-to-liquids (GTL) Mossel Bay refinery experienced a steam line failure during the start-up process following planned repairs and would remain shut for a few weeks.
“PetroSA has made contingency plans to meet a potential supply shortfall in the local fuels market,” spokesperson Thabo Mabaso said.
The remaining four plants include Chevron’s 100 000 bpd Chevref refinery, the 108 000 bpd refinery jointly owned by Sasol and Total, the 180 000 bpd plant run by Shell and BP and Sasol’s 150 000 bpd refinery at Secunda.
“The industry confirmed that four of the refineries are not in a position to produce LPG during this week,” the ministry said.
“The growing unplanned shutdowns are becoming a threat to security of supply of some of the petroleum products particularly LPG and bitumen.”
It did not name the refineries, but two have said previously they are having problems affecting production.
Engen Petroleum’s 125 000 barrels-per-day refinery will be shut until the end of November due to a fire and planned maintenance works at the plant.
State-owned PetroSA said its 45 000 bpd gas-to-liquids (GTL) Mossel Bay refinery experienced a steam line failure during the start-up process following planned repairs and would remain shut for a few weeks.
“PetroSA has made contingency plans to meet a potential supply shortfall in the local fuels market,” spokesperson Thabo Mabaso said.
The remaining four plants include Chevron’s 100 000 bpd Chevref refinery, the 108 000 bpd refinery jointly owned by Sasol and Total, the 180 000 bpd plant run by Shell and BP and Sasol’s 150 000 bpd refinery at Secunda.