crude peanut oil rafinery machine in south africa

                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
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  • Is Natref a surviving oil refinery in South Africa?
  • Natref is the last surviving oil refinery in South Africa. Three others were closed in the past two years. These refinery closures and the possible permanent closure of the Natref refinery are shots fired in the long running contestation between the oil refiners and the government, which has been trying to introduce cleaner fuels specifications.
  • Which Durban refineries have made good on their threats?
  • In the latest round, the two Durban refineries made good on their threats. Engen (Petronas) in 2020, following an explosion and fire, and Sapref (Shell and BP) after its temporary closure during the insurrection in July 2021. Natref appears to be playing a waiting game on the government’s latest deadline, which has been shifted from 2023 to 2027.
  • What happened at Engen oil refinery?
  • Firefighters putting out a fire at an Engen oil refinery on 4 December 2020 in Durban, South Africa. Gallo Images via GettyImages
  • Who owns Natref oil refinery?
  • The refinery is owned by Natref, a joint venture between the chemical and energy company Sasol ? the majority shareholder ? and Total Energies. No details have been given about the closure. But it is a rare occurrence and probably a consequence of disruptions to global logistics and oil supplies caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.