Angola's 30,000 b/d Cabinda refinery has begun a commissioning process, with commercial operations likely to begin in November.
The refinery, a 90:10 joint venture between UK-based Gemcorp and state-owned Sonangol, has been much delayed.
"Fuel production and sales will start in around three months, once quality standards have been validated," Gemcorp told Argus today. A first phase will produce diesel, jet fuel, heavy fuel oil and naphtha, Gemcorp said, with gasoline production part of a second phase.
Basic engineering works and technology licensing for the second phase, which is planned to raise capacity to 60,000 b/d, have started, Gemcorp said. Downstream regulator IRDP deputy director-general Antonio Feijo said a 2028 start for the second phase is likely. Gemcorp told Argus it does not have a completion date for the second phase.
Feijo said in August that Cabinda's first phase is projected to cut imports by about 12pc. Angolan demand for refined products was 943,000t in the second quarter, according to government data, with 64pc sourced from imports, 34.5pc from Sonangol's 65,000 b/d Luanda refinery and 1.5pc from the Chevron-operated Cabgoc topping plant. Diesel held a 60pc share of Angolan demand for refined products in the second quarter, and gasoline held a 25pc share.
Gemcorp said today that Sonangol will supply the Cabinda refinery with Cabinda grade crude, and the plant can take two other grades whose specifications are close to that of Cabinda.
Feijo previously said IRDP will ensure the refinery's products meet the Afri-3 quality standards prescribed under Angolan law. These limit sulphur content to 300ppm and 500ppm for gasoline and diesel, respectively. When gasoline output begins the standards will be tightened to Afri-5, which limit sulphur content to 50ppm for gasoline and diesel, Feijo said.
