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UNCTAD OGTF Conference Nairobi, Kenya, 23-25 May 2007 AFRICAN REFINERS ASSOCIATION NOT AN OFFICIAL UNCTAD RECORD
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Introduction to the ARA 50 refineries built in Africa over past 50 years 39 currently operating 12 closed in past 40 years Out of 17 countries with refineries, 12 have only one refinery Total refining capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa <1.4 million b/d (<70 million MT); Secondary refining capacity only 20% of total nameplate crude distillation capacity
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Introduction to the ARA
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ARA provides a voice for Africa’s 39 refineries; NGO funded by its members, associate members and sponsors; Second AGM – March’07 in Cape Town Third AGM – 10-15 March’08 in Cape Town
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ARA’s Aims and Objectives Create a voice for African downstream; Take ownership of and address common issues (economic, environmental, social); Promote communication, co-operation and exchange of experience; Defend the interests of the African oil industry.
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ARA Structure AGM Executive Committee: organise AGM ARA budget Monitor Workgroups Manage ARA membership 4 Executive Committee meetings/yr
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ARA Structure WORK GROUPS SpecificationsDatabaseStrategy Health & Safety
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1. Threats to African Refiners
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Planned New Refinery Construction and Upgrade Projects Gasoline: Gasoil:
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Possible Impact on African Markets New projects in Persian Gulf will result in estimated: 5 million MT of gasoline, 5 million MT of jet/kerosene, 9 million MT of gasoil; New projects in India (west coast): 6.5 million MT of gasoline, 9.5 million MT of jet/kerosene, 15 million MT of gasoil. A large portion of these are for export and will impact on African markets.
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Possible Impact on African Markets A key issue is whether or not Middle East and Indian refineries (and European/Russian?) play by international trade rules? Exports subsidised by domestic sales? Low cost feedstock (ME/Russian)? Low cost/free power? Disposal of low quality by product at below cost? Are WTO rules applied?
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Does Africa need refineries?
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Tightening product specifications 2. Tightening product specifications
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Product Specifications: AFRI Specs
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Product Specifications ARA members have committed to meeting AFRI spec targets Meeting the higher levels will require investment that may not be achievable Refiners need a fair, consistent “playing field” to attract investment
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3. Regional Price Alignment
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Gasoil: 103 Gasoline: 112 Gasoil: 89 Gasoline: 93 Gasoil: 63 Gasoline: 49 Gasoil:109 Gasoline: 113 Prices in US cents per litre Gasoil:119 Gasoline: 125 +16% +12% +63%+129% +90% +41% +73% +131% +11% Pump Prices in Africa: Regional Imbalances +16%+20%
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Market Structure Wide variations in pump prices within the same region Wide differences in ex-refinery/depot and distribution price structures Harmonisation could lead to: Reduction in smuggling Facilitation of trade Market transparency, less market distortion
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4. What is the value of having a refinery
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Value of a Refinery: Do we need them? Would it matter if all African refineries close in the next 20 years and Africa buys all its products from the ME, India, and Europe/Russia?
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Value of a refinery: Traditional arguments Traditional arguments to allow refinery subsidisation (e.g. by K-factor): Employment Technology Domestic crude Supply security ( no longer an issue?) All valuable but worth $millions not $100’s of millions (subsidy cost?)
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Value of a refinery: Additional Arguments 1 Tax collection: Refineries are good tax collectors Private importers (especially at small import points) may not be Smugglers (who operate when cross-border prices are different) do not pay taxes Quality Control: Product quality fraud (off-spec imports) Can be worth $10’s of millions
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Value of a refinery: Additional Arguments 2 Product Import Pricing: Many questionable practices exist for ‘adjusting’ prices on product cargoes; more difficult to do on crude oil cargoes Privatisation: Refineries are difficult to sell as investors averse to market regulation Limited competition (difficult for a refinery to compete against imported products) Can be worth $10’s of millions
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Subsidies K-Factors extremely important to a refiner (10% on 1 million mt/yr = ~$60 million) Blunt instrument Inconsistent application Import taxes on products are an alternative Refiners need a consistent level playing field
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5. Efficiency Improvement
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Efficiency Improvement… Enormous improvement achieved in Africa over past 20 years To go further need a clear consistent playing field particularly to attract much needed investment Cooperation through the ARA can help with: Benchmarking, Training, Experience-sharing, Expanding supplier choice
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Summary African Refineries face serious threats Advantage of local refining vs. product imports has been seriously undervalued in the past by economists Constant pressure for closure and replacement by product imports may lead to wrong answer for Africa African refineries can become much more efficient but need a consistent level playing field ARA can help by encouraging cooperation among members
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