All petroleum products consumed in the country are imported from the Durban refineries in South Africa by the oil companies. The oil companies distribute the products to filling stations and to commercial users. The Ministry in consultation with key stakeholders is also looking into the logistics of importing products through Mozambique to diversify the sources of fuel supply with the aim of enhancing security of supply in the country. One oil company is currently importing through Mozambique on intermittent basis.

For Swaziland the situation is that all petroleum products are presently imported from South Africa where there is a regulation of product prices. The Ministry plays a regulatory role in the petroleum downstream activities, in particular the pricing of all controlled petroleum products i.e. petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin. The government's objective to keep petroleum prices affordable to the public is undermined by the volatility in international oil prices and the Lilangeni/Dollar exchange rate which the government has no control over. 

The Ministry is investigating ways of making sure that fuel prices remain affordable for both industrial and domestic use. One strategy is the amendment of the Fuel Oil Levy Act of 1979. [U1] This will look at how the Strategic Oil Reserve Fund can be best managed so that in a situation of high international crude oil prices, the fund could be used to reduce the accumulated negative slate balance avoiding high fuel price increases. Additionally, the Ministry will investigate the option of importing refined products using other alternative routes for security of supply reasons. 

In the short term the department will also concentrate on the following:

• Consolidating all relevant petroleum legislation into a Petroleum Act,
• Developing mechanisms for ensuring diversification of the sources of petroleum products imported into the country,
• Establishing national strategic depots for petroleum products sufficient to sustain the economy for a maximum of 90 days,
• Developing models for fair calculation of oil industry and dealer margins.
• Investigating means of achieving least cost retail prices of LPG and paraffin,
• Developing and implementing quality control measures that will ensure that marketers of oil products adhere to agreed product specifications-including environmental considerations-and that these conform to regional and/or international standards,
• Developing legislation to ensure that all stakeholders in the oil and transport industry manage their waste oil in an environmentally friendly manner; and
• Introducing safety standards for LPG and paraffin equipment.

PETROLEUM BILL

The Ministry is in the process of updating, amending and consolidating existing pieces of legislation on petroleum, in line with the National Energy Policy to produce an all-embracing and comprehensive petroleum act: The Petroleum Bill [U2] will address the following issues:

• Regulation and deregulation of the oil industry
• Ensuring adequate product availability in rural areas
• Ensuring stable and reliable product availability for the country’s economy
• Achieving regional competitiveness and fair pricing of petroleum fuels
• Encouraging meaningful and sustainable participation of locals in the industry
• Imposition of levies and taxes on petroleum products;
• Administration of the Strategic Oil Reserve Fund; and
• Provision of information concerning motor vehicles.

FUEL STORAGE

The Energy policy of the country requires that all Oil Companies establish minimum stocks. Each company is required to store a minimum quantity of stocks. Fuel storage for petrol and diesel continues to be a major concern to the Government. Petroleum fuel storage capacity in Swaziland currently stands at less than 5 days. It is unacceptable for any country to have such a low storage capacity especially if it is land-locked and most of the fuel travels by trucks.

QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAMME

FUEL TESTING LABORATORY

BACKGROUND

The Energy Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy established the Fuel Testing Laboratory (MNRE-FL) to assist in ensuring fuel quality and standard adherent for Fuel imported into the country. The MNRE-FL together with the Petroleum Act assists Government in enforcing compliance in the petroleum industry. The MNRE-FL is a division under the Petroleum Unit hence its legal responsibilities is carried over by the Energy Department. 

 

VISION

To be the centre of Excellency in Petroleum testing.

 

MISSION STATEMENT

To be a Petroleum Laboratory that provides high Quality Sampling and Testing services to all users of Petroleum Products in Swaziland, Regionally and Internationally.

 

QUALITY POLICY STATEMENT

The Ministry of Natural Resources & Energy’s fuel laboratory is committed to implementing a Quality Management System that will ensure that;

-          All staff commits to high standards of professional practice and provides good quality test services to its customers based on highly qualified, competent and experienced personnel and using calibrated and serviced equipment.

-          All staff has knowledge of and complies with ISO 17025 standard through well-established communication strategy, ensuring availability of all policies and procedures at point of use. 

-          There is continual improvement on the efficiency of the Management System based on adequate reviews, audits and customer feedback reports.

PHYSICAL ADRESS

The MNRE-FL is situated in Mbabane, Sandla Township

DIVT Premises, opposite Swaziland College of Technology (SCOT)

Somhlolo Road.

Tel: + 268 2404 2444

Fax: + 268 2404 7252

Email; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ACCREDITATION

The MNRE-FL operations are carried out in accordance of a management system and the laboratory is striving to continuously meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standard and is working towards accreditation on the same standard.

The main aim for accreditation is to ensure continued technical competence, compliance to the standard and to make sure that the standard of operation is being maintained by the laboratory and its personnel.  

FUEL INSPECTORATE

The unit is responsible for monitoring Fuel entering the country and the mandate of the unit is to ensure that:

• The fuel meets the required specifications;
• Fuel volumes are accurately declared;
• All filling sites (retail and commercial) adhere to Safety health and environmental laws of the country.