Africa’s petroleum and petrochemical industry faces many challenges, including climate change issues, fuel security and the falling oil price.

These will be addressed at the upcoming Petro.t.ex Conference and Exhibition, a major mid- and down-stream event focused on showcasing products, services and business opportunities across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Petro.t.ex Africa is a component of the multi-sector South African Industry & Technology Fair, and takes place at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand from 20-22 May 2015.

“The key focus of the conference is the updates for the liquid fuel and downstream industry,” says organiser Bette McNaughton.

“It will also cover numerous current topics such as the overall status of the liquid fuel industry in South Africa, climate change, alternative fuels, and the revised Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Codes for the retail fuel market.”

State of SA’s oil industry

About 95% of South Africa’s crude oil demand is met by imports from the Middle East and Africa. However, with estimated reserves of over nine billion barrels of oil beneath South Africa’s coastlines, many drilling and business opportunities exist, which could also give the country some small measure of independence from imports.

Avhapfani Tshifularo, Executive Director of the South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA), describes the current state of the oil industry as ‘resilient’, but with a constant need to adapt. He will deliver the opening keynote address on The Overall Status of the Liquid Fuel Industry in South Africa.

The who and what of the Petro.t.ex conference

Implications of the Revised BBBEE Codes for the retail market will be presented by Bakang Moeketsi, CEO of the South African Petroleum Retailers’ Association (SAPRA).

Dr Rod Crompton from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) will discuss fuel security and the hi-jacking of tankers.

The effects of the falling oil price on the economy will be discussed by Carmen Nel, an economist at Rand Merchant Bank.

Another important topic is alternative fuels, presented by Jason Gifford from the steering committee of the Southern African Biogas Industry Association.

Other topics for discussion include:

• Clean fuels and maximising sustainable development opportunities, presented by Professor Jim Petrie, Director of Energy and Green Economy from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism of the Western Cape Government
• Climate Change presented by Deborah Ramalope, Chief Director: Climate Change Mitigation
• The role of independent storage suppliers presented by Muziwandile Mseleku, CEO of Burgan