National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (Pty) Ltd, commonly known as the Natref Refinery, is a South African crude oil refining company based in Sasolburg, Free State. It operates an inland refinery that supplies fuels and petrochemical feedstocks to the country’s industrial heartland. The business is jointly owned by Sasol and TotalEnergies’ South African marketing affiliate.
Commissioned in 1971, Natref processes imported crude delivered via pipeline from the coast and distributes products into Gauteng and surrounding markets. The refinery manufactures petrol (gasoline), diesel, jet fuel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), bitumen, and light streams such as naphtha and propylene used as inputs for downstream chemical production.
As part of South Africa’s fuels value chain, Natref supplies a significant share of inland demand and is integrated with nearby Sasol chemical operations. It operates under national fuel quality, safety, and environmental regulations and coordinates logistics with the national pipeline and storage infrastructure.
Also known as Natref.
First commercial SAF volumes will fuel Cape Town–Antarctica expeditions, produced from sustainable bio-feedstocks and enabled by Natref’s ISCC+ sustainability certification.
Unplanned downstream outage in mid‑August coincided with a planned shutdown, disrupting production and jet‑fuel supply; measures aim to stabilise supply through end‑September.
Operational gains, cost control and market recovery drove stronger earnings; capex fell 18%, renewables expanded, and dividend remains paused until net debt is sustainably below US$3bn.
An unplanned downstream shutdown in mid‑August, coinciding with a planned outage, reduced output; the affected unit will remain operational until end-September to help stabilise jet fuel supply.
Unplanned downstream unit outage curtails jet fuel and some product grades at OR Tambo; partial deliveries continue while mitigation and restoration proceed.
Plant scored 96.8% (92.9% WSI), ranked 2nd; won Best Private Technical Site TSA (94%); top scores in capacity and effluent compliance; treats 27.01 kL/d and supports local sanitation projects.
Middle East conflict disrupted gas supply - ORYX GTL shut; ~60 staff safe. Fuel and chemicals impacted; Secunda/Natref secure inventories and alternative crude; contingencies active.
