* Energy dept working on “worst case scenario”
* Looking at possible alternative supplies
* Says has not received any formal U.S. request
By Olivia Kumwenda
JOHANNESBURG, Jan 25 (Reuters) – South Africa, which
receives a quarter of its crude from Iran, is assessing a worst
case scenario in which its oil imports from that country might
be halted or cut as a result of widening international sanctions
against Tehran.
Africa’s biggest economy, which has been hit by fuel
shortages in the past because of strikes and refinery problems,
would be hard-pressed to fill any gap quickly. Only Turkey and
Sri Lanka rely more heavily on Iran for oil.
“We have said let’s work on a worst case scenario. In other
words, let’s just assume that we cannot get anything out of Iran
or at a reduced rate, what is going to be the impact?” Nelisiwe
Magubane, director general of South Africa’s department of
energy, said on Wednesday.
The European Union banned imports of oil from Iran and
imposed a number of other economic sanctions on Monday, joining
the United States in new measures.
Magubane said South Africa had not received any formal
request from the United States to halt or reduce Iranian crude
imports. Her comments followed a visit to South Africa last week
by a senior U.S. energy official.
Continued…
