MRPL To Establish Oil Terminals In Mauritius

Mumbai: The Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals (MRPL), a subsidiary of the Oil and Natural Gas Commission(ONGC), is planning to establish a alliance with the State Trading Corporation (STC) of Mauritius Government to establish large storage oil terminals in Mauritius, to jointly explore sale of petroleum products in the African market. An in-principle agreement to establish a joint venture for large storage terminals has been agreed between MRPL and the Mauritius Government authorities.

At present Mauritius lacks large storage facilities for oil, which prevents large tankers to dock and supply. STC of Mauritius is the sole authority for oil supply in that country, through oil companies like Indian Oil and Shell. Geographically, Mauritius is the gateway to foray South Africa and other African markets. MRPL started exports of petroleum products last year, to Dubai, with supplies to the Emirates Oil Company. Two weeks ago, MRPL and the State Trading Corporation (STC) of Mauritius had forayed into supply of one million MTPA of petroleum products worth over $2 billion for a period of three years since August 2007, to meet the entire petroleum products requirements of Mauritius. As per the contract, MRPL will source motor gasoline (MS), diesel (HSD), aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and furnace oil (FO) for a period of three years commencing from August 2007. MRPL already has an existing supply pact with STC Mauritius, to supply one MMTPA of various petroleum products.