The refining activity is carried out by the Ivorian Refining Company (SIR), which also holds the monopoly on the importation of crude oil. The country has an atypical oil profile, as it is a net importer of crude oil and a net exporter of refined products. Côte d'Ivoire exports part of its production of refined petroleum products to the hinterland (Mali, Burkina Faso) and by sea (Export Mer), mainly to Nigeria. 

• Production and Consumption

In 2023, the Ivorian Refining Company (SIR) processed 3,344,572 metric tons (MT) of crude oil, resulting in a production of 4,844,367 MT of petroleum products compared to 4,272,728 MT in 2022, representing an increase of 13.4%. Sales of petroleum products reached 4,787,715 MT, an increase of 10.13% compared to 2022 (4,347,197 MT). This increase was due to the significant rise in the prices of white products since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war. 

From 2016 to 2023, sales of petroleum products showed an average annual growth of 7%. 

In 2023, the domestic market accounted for 58% of SIR's sales, followed by exports to Mali (22%), Export Mer markets (13%), and sales to Burkina Faso (7%). 

The national consumption of liquid petroleum products increased from 1,589,194 m³ at 15°C in 2015 to 3,153,946 m³ at 15°C in 2023, representing an average annual growth of 9%.

 Source: Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Annual Report of the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) 

National Consumption of Liquid Petroleum Products from 2015 to 2023 

Source: Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, DGH Annual Report 

The national consumption of butane gas has experienced an average annual growth of 13.3%, rising from 241,887 MT in 2015 to 658,337 MT in 2023. 

National Consumption of Butane Gas in Metric Tons (MT) from 2015 to 2023

Source: Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, DGH Annual Report 

• Storage

Storage and transportation activities are managed by the Petroleum Stock Management Company in Côte d'Ivoire (GESTOCI), a mixed-economy company owned by the state and private petroleum distribution companies. The storage capacity for petroleum products in 2023 was 473,097 m³, with nearly 85.39% held by GESTOCI. 

The total storage capacity for butane gas in Côte d'Ivoire is 31,107 metric tons in 2023, which is approximately seventeen (17) days of national consumption. 

• Transport 

The transportation of petroleum products is primarily ensured by a fleet of about 4,985 tanker trucks and a 385 km pipeline from Abidjan to Bouaké for supplying delivery depots, with the Abidjan-Yamoussoukro section, 258 km long, in operation since July 2013. 

In 2023, a volume of 1,729,752,186 liters at ambient temperature was transported via the pipeline, compared to 1,815,748,019 liters in 2022, representing a decrease of 4.7% due to several interruptions in pipeline activity, particularly for connection works to the PACOBO boosting station. 

• Distribution 

Distribution activities across the national territory are subject to free competition. More than fifty players operate in this segment in 2023, with the main ones being Vivo Energy, TOTAL Energies, Ola Energy, Star Oil, and Petro-Ivoire, representing 51% of the national network of 1,446 existing service stations. 

• Prices

The prices of petroleum products at the national level are mostly regulated through the automatic price adjustment mechanism established by the government. According to this mechanism, the prices of petroleum products in the domestic market reflect fluctuations in global crude oil prices. 

Furthermore, to ensure price uniformity for petroleum products across the territory, a transport equalization system has been established. The resources related to this equalization are collected and managed by GESTOCI. 

• Perspectives

The African refining environment is expected to undergo significant changes starting in 2024 and face numerous challenges, including: 

- The commissioning of new refineries in West and Central Africa (Dangote in Nigeria and a 2 million ton refinery in Ghana); 

- The development of storage capacities in competitive axes, notably Dakar; 

- Environmental requirements regarding product quality; 

- The development of alternative energies to fossil fuels for mobility as part of the Energy Transition. 

However, the sector should benefit from the increase in demand for petroleum products across all markets. In this context, SIR should be prepared to meet the challenges of the next decade. To this end, major projects are planned: 

• For fuel standardization: 

  • The construction of a hydrodesulfurization complex for diesel, expected to be operational in 2028; 

  • The construction of a unit(s) for benzene reduction in gasoline, with commissioning planned for 2028. 

• For improving energy efficiency: 

  • The commissioning of a cogeneration plant for electricity and steam using natural gas, expected in 2026. 

• For adapting production tools to the market: 

  • Increasing crude processing capacity by installing a Preflash and adapting an auxiliary unit, planned for 2028; 

  • The construction of a new regenerative reformer (CCR), with commissioning expected in 2028; 

  • Increasing the capacity of the hydrocracker, planned for 2028. 

•  For developing logistics at sea and on land: 

  • The construction of storage units for crude oil and other petroleum products, with commissioning expected in 2026. 

• For integrating the energy transition: 

  • The importation, storage, and regasification of liquefied natural gas (LNG); 

  • Considering new forms of energy for mobility; 

  • The production of biofuels (Biodiesel, SAF, bio-gasoline); 

  • The construction of a CO₂ capture unit; 

  • The construction of a wastewater recycling unit.