Sasol refinery shutdown ‘won’t lead to fuel shortage’
Sasol, which is South Africa’s largest fuel producer, has declared force majeure due to delays in deliveries of crude to the Natref refinery it owns with TotalEnergies.
In a statement, the company said Sasol Oil will not be able to fully meet its commitments on the supply of all petroleum products from July.
The shutdown means South Africa’s whole oil-refinery fleet is out of action, but the Department of Minerals and Energy insist this is no cause for concern.
Spokesperson Robert Maake says government does not anticipate fuel supply shortages, although there may be some delays in delivery.
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“The only reason Sasol declared force majeure is because they could not supply their clients on time, because they were delays in getting crude oil in their refinery on time.
“Because they do not have crude oil, therefore, they cannot operate. As soon as oil gets to their refinery they can start working again.
“It’s basically a breakdown. They shut down the refinery because of the delay to their clients, so they were just protecting themselves and clients, not that there is a shortage in the country.”
