Browsing: Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited

• The Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) is directly importing petroleum products from Vitol Bahrain, aiming to reduce reliance on Kenyan firms and mitigate high fuel prices. 
• UNOC’s direct importation and sale of fuel to OMCs in Tanzania and Uganda is a significant step towards fostering stronger regional ties, promoting economic growth, and ensuring energy security. 

Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) has started the sale of petroleum products to oil marketing companies in both Uganda and Tanzania.

This is part of a broader strategy to test the waters before UNOC embarks on a direct importation agreement with the global oil titan, Vitol Bahrain. This maneuver signals a new era in East Africa’s energy dynamics, especially following a cooling of relations between Uganda and Kenya over fuel supply mechanisms.

Breaking New Ground: Uganda National Oil Company Direct Importation Deal

For years, Uganda’s fuel supply chain was heavily dependent on Kenyan OMCs. However, …

• The country’s petroleum products distributor, Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), is set to take over the refinery.
• It will utilize it for storage of super petrol, diesel, kerosene and the latest now being development of a bulk LPG (cooking gas) reserve.
• The Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited was originally set up by Shell and British Petroleum Company BP to serve the East African region in the supply of a wide variety of oil products.

Kenya plans to fully turn its defunct oil refinery into a storage center for imported products, as the dream of refining its own crude oil fades ahead of commercial production projected to commence before 2027.

Both the government and British exploration firm, Tullow Oil, which is seeking joint ventures for the Turkana oil project, are hopeful Kenya will go into commercial oil production in the short-term.

However, it is now clear that the country has no plans …