Several prominent corporations, including Saudi Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil, and Trafigura, are competing for the purchase of Shell’s South African service stations, which are worth nearly a billion dollars. This intense competition reflects a wider trend among trading companies, who are investing in oil’s downstream businesses due to declining cargo trading margins. The acquisition of retailers holds a strategic advantage, ensuring a steady demand for their fuels. The outcome of this contest will shape South Africa’s petroleum retail sector, highlighting the dynamic nature of the global petroleum industry.
Astron Energy, a South African refinery company, faces criticism following a recent product spill from their Milnerton Refinery that leaked into Table Bay waterways, affecting local birds and wildlife. Environmental groups and community members are frustrated with Astron’s response to the spill, with concerns raised about the fall’s extent and the booms’ effectiveness.