Cairo – Mubasher: Egypt has started the pilot operation of a high-octane gasoline production complex at Assiut Refinery at an investment cost of $450 million, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla said. 

Work is underway for establishing the largest complex for diesel production in Assiut affiliated to Assiut National Oil Processing Company (ANOPC), El-Molla added in a statement on Monday. 

The minister noted that Assiut has been witnessing unprecedented major projects in the refining sector which will help meet the petroleum needs of Upper Egypt governorates. 

This came during the general assembly of Assiut Oil Refining Company (ASORC) for the approval of the company's business results for fiscal year (FY) 2020/2021. 

During the year ended 30 June, the company injected more than EGP 1.3 billion worth of investments in development, replacement, and renovation fields, ASORC's Chairman, Maged El-Kurdy, said. 

He added that the refinery's production covers about 65% of the petroleum consumption in Upper Egypt governorates during the year. 

A total of 2.6 million tonnes of crude oil have been refined to provide petroleum products worth $945 million. These products included high-octane, naphtha, diesel, butane, and jet fuel.