Impact of electricity disruptions on Sasol's fourth-quarter production and sales

SASOL'S Secunda Operation (SO) and its oil refinery business Natref had unplanned disruptions that impacted fourth-quarter production, and volumes fell below guidance.

- EDWARD WEST

The fuels-from-coal and chemicals group said in a production and sales report for the year to June 30 that Natref, one of only two crude oil refineries still operating in South Africa, saw a stronger performance in the fourth quarter, with production recovering after a fire incident in the previous quarter; however, it was then hit by an unplanned Eskom power outage.

A decision in the third quarter to reduce the group’s own production of coal and supplement it with higher-quality purchased coal saw SO’s gasifier performance enhanced in the fourth quarter of the 2025 financial year.

Liquid fuels sales increased, supported by higher production and purchases. “We...expect to meet the majority of our financial guidance for the 2025 financial year, with volume guidance achieved across most business segments.”

SA gas sales also improved, driven by better customer demand. In Chemicals Africa, the average basket price was higher over the previous quarter.