In a key step toward launching Egypt’s new diesel production complex, Assiut National Oil Processing Company (ANOPC) has connected and turned on the electricity for the main power hub of its first electrical station, allowing the facility to begin its final testing and commissioning phase before going fully operational, according to a statement by the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC).
The Assiut diesel production complex, also known as the hydrocracking complex, will process mazut produced by Assiut Oil Refining Company (ASORC) into higher-value petroleum products. The facility is designed to convert 2.5 million tons per year (mt/y) of mazut and process 1.2 mt/y of middle distillates.
The complex is expected to produce approximately 2.8 mt/y of Euro V standard diesel, alongside 400,000 tons of naphtha for gasoline production and 100,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) annually. By-products will include around 330,000 tons of petroleum coke and 66,000 tons of sulphur.
Units at the complex have been designed using advanced hydrocracking and refining technologies that meet stringent environmental standards, while improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and enabling the reuse of industrial wastewater.
The project is expected to play a significant role in supporting economic development in Upper Egypt by creating new investment opportunities and generating both direct and indirect employment. ANOPC has also implemented a capacity-building programme to train newly graduated engineers and technicians from Assiut and neighbouring governorates to prepare them for operations at the complex.
In addition, the company continues to carry out community development initiatives in nearby villages as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.
This was announced in the presence of Ibrahim Motawea, Deputy CEO for Planning and Projects at EGPC; Wael Rizk, Executive Vice President for Refining and Manufacturing at EGPC; Mohamed Abdallah Hassan, Chairman of ANOPC; and Issa Mohamed Abdel-Aal, Chairman of ASORC.
During the visit, officials emphasised the strategic importance of the ANOPC project in adding value to Egypt’s petroleum sector, strengthening refining capabilities, and supporting the development of the Upper Egypt petroleum geographic area.
The visit also included a coordination meeting to review project progress, as well as field tours to assess ASORC’s readiness to supply feedstock to ANOPC and the status of interconnection points between the two companies. Delegates inspected key facilities at ASORC, including the gasoline production complex, distillation units, control rooms, and central laboratories, in addition to touring ANOPC’s construction site.
The Assiut diesel production complex is a cornerstone of Egypt’s petroleum-sector strategy to modernise refining capacity, enhance diesel self-sufficiency, and reduce imports—particularly in Upper Egypt. Financing contracts for the project were signed in February 2022 with a value of $1.5 billion with six international banks. The project will boost fuel production and reduce diesel import costs by 40%.
