Cote d’Ivoire set to build largest LPG storage facility in Sub-Saharan Africa

Following National Petroleum Operations Company of Côte d’Ivoire, (known as Petroci), entering into a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with Sahara Energy Logistics Holding Limited, (a subsidiary of Sahara Group), Côte d’Ivoire is set to construct a 12,000 metric tonne Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage facility.

When completed, it will become the largest of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. The JVA facilitated the construction of the facility in a bid to guarantee LPG supply security in the West African country. Estimated to cost around $43 million, the project will be executed in two phases, with commissioning scheduled for November 2021 and October 2022 respectively.

The joint venture company, incorporated as SAPET Energy SA, will handle the construction, operation, and maintenance of the “ultra-modern” LPG storage terminal.

The proposed facility is expected to increase the country’s LPG storage capacity by 60% and significantly enhance importation, storage, supply, and distribution of LPG and other related activities in Cote d’Ivoire and its neighbouring nations such as the republics of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.

The project will also bridge the current product supply and storage gap in the market and ensure more product availability and security by increasing stock holding from 15 days to approximately 27 days.

Dr. Ibrahima Diaby, Director-General at Petroci, said: “It is a historic event that will pave the way for robust and seamless storage, distribution, and supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas. This translates to more clean energy, growth, and productivity in Cote d’Ivoire.”

For more information visit www.petroci.ci

18th September 2020