Senegal: SAR and CNCEC join forces to modernize the Senegalese oil sector

As part of the strengthening of Sino-African cooperation, Société Africaine de Raffinage (SAR) and China National Chemical Engineering Company (CNCEC) have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding. The aim of this partnership is to modernize Senegal's oil infrastructure and develop new petrochemical activities.

With 60 years' experience and 1,700 projects completed worldwide, CNCEC will bring its expertise in engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) to support SAR in its future projects. PETROSEN Holding has also signed a partnership agreement with CNCEC, reinforcing Senegal's attractiveness for foreign investment in the energy sector.

Discussions are underway with SEDIN Engineering to explore new opportunities for cooperation in the petrochemicals sector. Present in Africa since 2017 and based in Ghana, SEDIN Engineering could bring complementary expertise to CNCEC.

The challenges of this cooperation are many:

• Improving refining capacity : The recent €80 million expansion of SAR's distillation unit has increased its crude processing capacity by 30%. However, the construction of a second refining unit is necessary to meet the growing demand for petroleum products and to develop the country's hydrocarbon resources.
• Development of petrochemicals : The creation of a local petrochemical industry would help to diversify the Senegalese economy, create jobs and promote technology transfer.
• Energy sovereignty: By reducing its dependence on imports of refined petroleum products, Senegal will strengthen its energy security and gain strategic autonomy.
• Fighting subsidies : Building a new refinery would reduce production costs and ease the pressure on public finances from hydrocarbon subsidies.

The outlook is promising with the discovery of new oil and gas fields in the region. Senegal has great potential to become a major player in Africa's oil and gas industry.

This strategy is fully in line with Senegal's Vision 2050, which aims to promote sustained industrialization through the transformation of natural resources and the development of a greener economy.

This cooperation will enable the country to strengthen its position in the energy market, create added value and contribute to its economic and social development.