CRCC to build 20,000bpd refinery in Equatorial Guinea

China Railway Construction Company (CRCC) is leading a consortium to build a 20,000 barrels per day capacity refinery in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

CRCC, one of the largest construction companies globally and the parent company of CCECC, has previously undertaken numerous infrastructure projects, including the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s railway system. The company’s total ongoing projects exceed $20 billion.

The refinery project began in August 2022, through a partnership between the Government of Equatorial Guinea and Chinese investors CIRDL (Consolidated International Refinery Development Ltd.) and CRCC. The Chinese investors are providing the majority of the funding through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which allows the government to allocate resources to other critical infrastructure projects across the country.

On November 21, 2023, the President of Equatorial Guinea officially announced the expropriation of land for the refinery site, with compensation agreements reached for the affected parties. The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the project was completed on June 6, 2024.

Once completed, the refinery will produce a full range of refined petroleum products, including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK), all at Euro 6 standards, which is the highest global standard for refined petroleum products. This will make the refinery the highest quality facility in Africa, even surpassing the Dangote Refinery, which is reported to meet Euro 5 standards.

While the refinery may not be the largest in Africa, it is expected to be the best, serving both the local market and international exports.

The Bata Oil Refinery is part of the broader vision of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue to continue the economic transformation of Equatorial Guinea, which has one of the highest GDP per capita rates in Africa. The Vice President has spearheaded various major developmental projects, contributing to the country’s growing stature on the African continent.