Govt identifies another fuel supplier

Indeni will shutdown its operations next month to pave way for routine maintenance works.
Mines, Energy and Water Development Permanent Secretary Charity Mwansa said in an interview that Dalbit alongside Trafigura Beheer BV of the Netherlands are among other suppliers that would meet the country’s demand for fuel as Indeni undergoes a 45-day shutdown.
“We have identified Dalbit Petroleum which is a Kenyan registered supplier of petroleum products to help us contain any shortfalls of fuel that may occur when Indeni shuts down operations.
“As Government we do plan for these routine plant maintenance works in advance by building up petroleum stocks and this is done to ensure that there is sufficient fuel over the duration of any maintenance works,” she said.
Ms Mwansa said Government was not planning to start importing crude oil from neighbouring Angola immediately, because products from that country do not conform to the petroleum refinery facilities being used at Indeni.
“The quality of crude oil we would get from Angola which is a cheaper source is different as compared to that which is imported from the Middle East.
“Fuel from Angola is comingled with certain matter that cannot be separated at Indeni Refinery and so that is why we are looking for the equity partner, with an investment that will assist us reconfigure and refurbish the plant into a modern facility,” she said.
Indeni Petroleum Refinery is expected to shutdown its operations on October 1, 2013.