Petroleum industry association gets new chairperson

Dr Siswana succeeds Maurice Radebe chairperson of Sasol Oil as the 17th industry leader and second woman to chair the association since its establishment in July 1994. The chairperson and vice-chairperson are appointed annually.

She was awarded her doctorate by the School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry, University of New South Wales in Sydney and has held various positions in the petroleum industry and the ministry of Minerals and Energy, having joined PetroSA in 2002.

"As PetroSA is a national oil company, I would like to utilise my position as chairperson of SAPIA to strengthen the relations between the industry and the Department of Energy. It is critical that key industry leaders and government work together to develop a unified approach on matters of interest, such as transformation and the security of supply of petroleum products," Dr Siswana said.

Audit results in Q1

She added that transformation will remain high on the agenda in 2011 as an audit process to determine the extent to which the industry is complying with the provisions set out in the Petroleum and Liquid Fuels Charter gets underway. The results of the audit will be released in March 2011.

"Industry welcomes the audit, as the results will help identify bottlenecks and the interventions required for improvement. We also need to work with stakeholders to determine an approach to implement transformation that meets all stakeholders needs."

Security of supply

During 2011, the petroleum industry will also be focusing on ensuring security of supply. Because of the delay to the delivery schedule for Transnet's new multi-products pipeline project (NMPP), which is being built to replace the 45-year old Durban to Johannesburg fuel pipeline, further pressure will be placed upon the already constrained logistical infrastructure.

"Industry will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure security of supply to the inland markets during the delay period. We are entering a new decade filled with many opportunities and challenges, but we will continue to focus on our mission, which is to work together within the petroleum industry to promote social and economic growth for the broader good of all South Africans and industry."

Members of the association are BP Southern Africa, Chevron South Africa, Engen Petroleum, PetroSA, Sasol, Shell SA and Total South Africa.