Mobil re-entering South Africa

Mobil Oil South Africa Ltd, is open to taking on a local partner, on its return to the country after an eight-year absence.
Kerry Wark, president of Mobil Africa, told a downstream energy conference in Cape Town that the company planned to enter the market by year-end, initially selling lubricants only. "We anticipate moving into fuel sales very early in our operation," Wark said.
"For retail fuels, that is service stations, we are looking out for an opportunity. We are looking at various companies within southern Africa, mainly in the oil industry, to partner with in this venture but have not negotiated any arrangement.
"Mobil is open to having a local South African partner but has not moved on this yet as we wish to gain experience on the ground before entering into a long-term arrangement," he said. He added that a local partner could be part of a black economic empowerment deal.