Egypt’s total refining output surged in 2019. Data for the first 11 months show an average of 555,000 b/d in the first 11 months of 2019, and with recent months’ figures well above this average, the full year figure will almost certainly surpass the 2010 annual output record of 542,000 b/d.
Crucially, transport fuels output received a major boost in 2019 with the start-up in August of the Egyptian Refining Company (ERC) upgrading plant alongside the aging Cairo refinery. This converts residue fuel oil from the refinery into much-needed lighter products. Despite this, the country is likely to rely on imports of diesel and gasoline for some time (MEES, 22 November 2019). (CONTINUED - 735 WORDS)
