By an OGJ Online Correspondent
LIMA, Mar. 27�The US Trade and Development Association has granted Petroperu SA $346,000 to finance a feasibility study of upgrading its 62,000-b/d Talara refinery to meet fuel standards recommended by the World Bank.
Energy and Mines Minister Carlos Herrera has estimated it would cost $315 million to upgrade the refinery to meet these recommendations. The feasibility study is aimed at improving environmental standards for products.
Last year, President Alberto Fujimori announced the relaunching of Peru's privatization process (OGJ Online, Aug. 22, 2000). He did not mention the Talara refinery.
The privatization question hinges upon the next government, which will determined by an Apr. 8 election. The new administration will take office July 28.
Petroperu supplies 55-60% of fuel sold on the Peruvian market. Apart from Talara, Petroperu operates the 10,500-b/d Iquitos refinery and the 6,500-b/d Conchan refinery. These refineries mainly produce octane fuel with lead content. The only privately owned refinery, La Pampilla, is operated by a consortium led by Spain's Repsol-YPF SA. La Pampilla has a capacity of 100,000 b/d.
