The Natref refinery was back in operation on Sunday after experiencing an unscheduled shutdown, Sasol spokesperson Johann van Rheede said.
The South African Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia) reported earlier that temporary fuel shortages may be experienced after a disruption in production volumes from the refinery.
Van Rheede allayed fears that there would be a shortage of jet fuel supplies to Johannesburg International Airport, saying Sasol had met all its commitments since the shutdown.
”We carry more than a week’s stock of jet fuel which is proof of how important it is to have adequate stock in the event of a shutdown,” he said.
The shortages at some inland filling stations over the next few weeks would result from an unscheduled shutdown of Natref refinery’s crude distillation unit at the end of January.
The refinery is jointly owned by Sasol and Total South Africa.
Colin McClelland, director of Sapia, said the shutdown had disrupted production volumes and the continuous delivery of petrol and diesel from the refinery.
”Contingency actions such as bringing in more products from the coast by rail and road are some of the measures being pursued,” McClelland said in a statement.
”However, due to very tight logistics, temporary fuel shortages may be experienced at some filling stations in the inland area over the next few weeks, while we catch up on delivery of backlog orders.”
Supply to the rest of the country was satisfactory with only Port Elizabeth suffering a shortfall due to shipping delays.
”The industry has been actively importing product since the last quarter of 2005 and will continue to do so until the market supply situation normalises,” said McClelland.- Sapa