DMEA - Downstream Middle East & Africa
Iran cuts gas to petchem plants as household demand rises
Iran’s Oil Ministry has dialed down natural gas feedstock supplied to the petrochemical industry amid rising consumption by households and small businesses as temperatures fall, the National Iranian Petrochemical Co. (NIPC) said.
Kenya court upholds Lake Gas Kilifi LPG plant permit, clearing expansion hurdle
Kenya’s High Court has reinstated the environmental permit for Lake Gas’s LPG plant in Kilifi, overturning a tribunal decision and strengthening the company’s expansion plans.
Malawi’s Nocma set to import 60% of country’s fuel in 2026/27 amid forex crunch
Malawi’s state-owned fuel importer, Nocma, plans to import about 412,000 tonnes of fuel in the 2026/27 financial year, a targeted volume equivalent to roughly 60% of estimated national consumption.
Black Sea attacks cited as Turkish straits delays faced by tankers grow to 12 days
Delays faced by oil tankers sailing through the Turkish straits have grown to around 12 days for a round trip to the Black Sea, up from around seven days in the previous week, it was reported on December 12
Erdogan asks Putin for limited shipping ceasefire. Hours later Russia hits three Turkish vessels in Ukraine ports
Attacks amount to rebuff to request made by Turkey’s president in face-to-face meeting with Russian leader.
Dangote refinery receives second Ghana crude cargo as European imports fall ahead of maintenance
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has received its second crude cargo from Ghana as refinery intake falls ahead of major maintenance, accelerating a shift towards domestic and regional West African grades and pushing Nigeria’s fuel import demand higher.
JNIM resumes fuel-tanker attacks on southern Mali corridor linking Bamako to Côte d’Ivoire
JNIM has resumed attacks on fuel tankers along a corridor linking Mali to Côte d’Ivoire, threatening Bamako’s main fuel supply route, raising risks of shortages and regional spillover along Sahel trade corridors.
Nigerian NLNG’s $10bn Train-7 project reaches 88% completion
The $10bn Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Train-7 project has reached 88% completion, positioning it for delivery within the revised timeline despite domestic and global challenges
South Sudan deploys troops to secure Heglig oilfield under SSPDF-claimed three-way deal
South Sudan has deployed troops to the Heglig oilfield under what its military describes as a three-way arrangement with Sudan’s rival factions, aiming to shield critical infrastructure from the country’s escalating civil war.
Chinese investors keen to partner with Saudi petchem companies
Chinese investors involved in petrochemicals, plastics, and printing are looking for partnership opportunities with Saudi companies, with more than 150 expressing interest in increasing investment and localising specialised industries.
Nigeria launches gas trading licence and clearing house to reshape Africa’s energy market
Nigeria’s petroleum regulator has introduced a gas trading licence and a centralised clearing house intended to formalise transactions and improve transparency across Africa’s gas sector
Nigeria orders NNPCL CEO to attend hearing over irregular payments
Nigeria’s Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives has ordered the Nigerian National Petroleum Co. Ltd.’s (NNPCL) CEO Bayo Ojulari to attend a hearing on December 15 over audit queries raised in 2021.
Nigeria’s new Ondo refinery project sees breakthrough following the creation of JV structure
A new project to construct a 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery in Nigeria’s Ondo State has been formalised, with a joint venture (JV) structure established to carry the plans forward.
Nigeria sees strongest petrol supply since mid-2024 on higher refinery contributions and imports
Nigeria’s domestic petrol supply rose sharply in November 2025, supported by stronger refinery contributions and a surge in imports, according to NMDPRA data.
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