Stella Zenkovich reports on recent African downstream developments: · Gas Author ...

Stella Zenkovich reports on recent African downstream developments: · Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) is considering Shell’s offer of equity in two of its Egyptian city gas distribution subsidiaries - 10% in Shell CNG Company and 19% in Fayum Gas Company. · Mobil Oil Sudan’s (MOS) retailing of oil, petrol, diesel, motor fuels, jet and marine fuels, lubricants and other petroleum products - accounting for a 20% share of the country’s product market - have been taken over by Petronas International, a subsidiary of the Malaysian parent, and by Engen of South Africa. MOS has been renamed Petronas Marketing Sudan. Included in the deal are three fuel depots, a refinery and a countrywide network of filling stations. · Zambia’s fuel reserves add up to only two months of supply, Energy Minister George Mpombo has declared, calling for a dismantling of ‘the pipeline of middlemen’, direct stockfeed imports from Iran or Kuwait and an increase of prices at the pumps. · It is reported that the Mugabe Government’s raising of fuel prices by 200% in one go and by 300% within a month at a time when inflation climbed 228% and Zimbabwe was experiencing power cuts is likely to have a ‘disastrous’ effect on the economy.