The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has approved amendments to the licensing conditions for petroleum facilities operated by energy and oil companies Sasol Oil and TotalEnergies South Africa, in Prospecton and Island View, KwaZulu-Natal.

The regulator has approved the amendment to the combined licence issued to Sasol Oil and TotalEnergies, which involves the removal of all crude oil infrastructure from the licence conditions.

This move was prompted by TotalEnergies’ recent sale of its shares in the National Refiners of South Africa Refinery (Natref) crude refinery to oil and petroleum products and biofuels company Prax South Africa.

Nersa notes that the change in licence conditions reflects the current ownership structure.

The regulator, at its meeting on April 29, determined that amending the licence was the appropriate course of action, thereby ensuring continuity in operations while adhering to the requirements of the Petroleum Pipelines Act.

Meanwhile, it also approved the combined licence application submitted by Sasol Oil and Prax South Africa to operate petroleum facilities in Prospecton and Island View.

This new licence will enable the continued operation of the crude oil infrastructure previously held under the National Crude Oil Storage licence, which is now under the ownership of Sasol Oil and Prax South Africa.

The approval of this licence is vital for maintaining the importation of crude oil, which is essential for processing at Natref, in Sasolburg.

The availability of crude oil infrastructure and its movement to the inland region for processing is crucial for ensuring the security of supply of petroleum products within South Africa, Nersa says.

“The regulator’s decisions reflect a commitment to ensuring a stable and efficient energy supply, while adapting to changes in ownership and operational structures within the petroleum pipelines sector.”

The reasons for decision documents will be published on Nersa's website in due course.