Lobito: The Lobito Refinery, currently under construction in the province of Benguela, is on track to commence production in December 2027, with an anticipated capacity of processing 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day, as confirmed by project director Guiomar Correia on Tuesday. According to Angola Press News Agency, Correia outlined the details of the project during President Joo Lourenço's recent visit to the site. The refinery is engineered to handle light and medium crude oils, such as Cabinda crude, and is equipped to process other compatible types. The project leverages technologies from international leaders like Honeywell and Shell Global Solutions, in collaboration with Sonangol. Once operational, the Lobito Refinery is expected to produce around 46,000 barrels of gasoline, over 100,000 barrels of diesel, and substantial quantities of Jet A1 aviation fuel and fuel oil, which will constitute about 21% of the total output. Additionally, the refinery plans to produce granulated sulfur for industrial applications, including fertilizer production. Correia highlighted that approximately three percent of the gas generated during the refining process will be utilized to produce electricity, enabling the refinery to be self-sufficient and lowering carbon dioxide emissions. Logistically, the refinery will receive crude oil via a single buoy situated approximately seven kilometers offshore, connected through a submarine pipeline to the maritime terminal and tank farm area. The terminal is designed to facilitate the shipment of products to both domestic and international markets and is equipped to handle the large-scale equipment required for the refinery's construction. The project also encompasses a combined cycle power generation system, areas earmarked for future petrochemical industries, and a comprehensive water supply system sourced from the Catumbela River. This system includes a dam, pumping stations, and reservoirs with a combined capacity of about 200,000 cubic meters. Guiomar Correia stated that S onangol plans to initiate operations of the priority units, including atmospheric and vacuum distillation units and auxiliary systems, by July 2027. The total planned investment through 2027 is approximately 3.8 billion US dollars, with Sonangol already investing 1.4 billion US dollars from its own resources. The overall estimated cost of the project stands at 6.27 billion US dollars. Financing for the project is being arranged through negotiations with national and Chinese banks, with the China Construction Bank (CCB) appointed to lead the financial syndicate. The Lobito Refinery is viewed as a strategic initiative aimed at reducing fuel imports and bolstering national refining capacity.