Development of petroleum and chemical industries in the North African sub-region* : Volume I

Abstract

The dominant feature of the refinery industry is still that of autonomy for each producing country. No country plans to rely on its neighbours for its petroleum products but rather plans to keep pace with its local demand. As the investments required are high, a considerable participation by the government or State-owned petroleum companies will most often be needed in the establishment and the management of the refineries. This growing-hold- and control of governments are also exerted on the prospecting, production and the hauling of crude petroleum and might be exercised on related refinery industries, such as the petrochemical industry.