Morocco boasts largest oil refining project in Africa and Europe

General manager of oil-refining company (SAMIR) said his company has carried out the largest oil-refining project in Africa and Europe.

The project, based in Mohammedia (40 km north of Casablanca) is estimated to cost 7 billion Dirhams (US$ 60.8 Mln). It is the core of a strategic plan meant to tap the local demand of oil products by 2010 by increasing refining capacity to 2 million tons.

He added the project also means to increase the operation flexibility of Moroccan oil refining plants, face up international competitiveness and improve the company's profitability. It also seeks to promote partnership with distributors, he said adding that the units built part of the project were initially scheduled to start operating by the end of 2004, but in view of increasing environmental pressures and in view of the Moroccan market demand in a fuel with low sulfur content, the units will start operating by October 2002 to produce a fuel with the required quality.

The projects equally provides for the treatment of the used waters of the Mohammedia refinery to preserve the neighboring sea waters. The treatment facility will cost some 50 million DH (nearly US$ 4.34 million).

Morocco's annual oil consumption stands at about 50 million barrels.