Stakes of the mediterranean refining industry

In 1997-98, the Mediterranean Energy Observatory (l'Observatoire Mediterraneen de l'Energie, OME), within the framework of a working group composed of a number of specialists from Member companies, carried out a study on the prospects of the refining industry in the Mediterranean, looking forward to the year 2010. The declared objective of this work was to enlighten the various parties involved as to the consequences of decisions in the matter of refinery plant investment policy for the Mediterranean region, especially given the prospects of the progressive liberation of this sector. Based on analysis of the current situations and potential future situations developing from this, the study consisted of the projection of a range of scenarios, the characteristics and main results of which are presented below. (author)