The Natref refinery which processes heavy, high sulfur crude oils is located in the industrial town of Sasolburg in South Africa and will be closed for planned maintenance till 21 November 2012.
Total and Sasol have meanwhile stocked the products to meet the demands of its customers without any difficulties.
Sasol company spokesperson was quoted by Reuters as saying that, "Sasol Oil has put contingencies in place to manage product flow, including the increase of our product stockpile prior to the shutdown, to maintain market supply for the duration of the maintenance."
South Africa has a total of six refineries that address the oil product needs of the country and imports oil products only in case of refinery maintenance and other related issues.
In October, the country imported about 208,000t of oil products which is six times more than it imported in the month of September 2012.
