SSL Sasol Ltd

JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As noted in our 16 August 2019 communication, a problem relating to a large heat exchanger on our Ethane Cracker which interrupted the start-up for several days was successfully resolved and start-up resumed.

We are currently halfway through achieving our 72 hour beneficial operation production test run on the Ethane Cracker.

On 24 August 2019, we reached the important milestone of producing ethylene at the LCCP that meets the feedstock requirements of some of our downstream units. However, the ethylene produced is marginally below polymer grade specification due to the acetylene reactor system that is not performing as expected. Efforts to upgrade ethylene to polymer grade specification are underway with the support of the catalyst supplier and the technology licensor.

We are currently operating the plant stably at a capacity utilisation of around fifty percent which is in line with our ramp-up plan. The ability to manage our facilities and meet our production needs in the US as an integrated site, now allows us the flexibility to consume this ethylene produced internally and to place it externally. 

The further ramp up in volumes will be executed as these current operational issues are resolved.

The completion of all other downstream derivative units has continued to advance. However, schedule pressure is evident in most areas and the latest forecast for beneficial operation dates of the units is provided below:

As a consequence of these technical issues and the revised beneficial operation dates, the LCCP earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) guidance for the 2020 financial year has been adjusted from US$300-350 million to US$150-300 million.

Notwithstanding the revisions to the beneficial operation dates, the cost guidance for the LCCP of US$12,6-12,9 billion remains unchanged. We remain confident that the incremental costs resulting from the delay can be absorbed within the existing base cost and contingency buffer.

Disclaimer – Forward-looking statements

Sasol may, in this document, make certain statements that are not historical facts and relate to analyses and other information which are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements may also relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding exchange rate fluctuations, volume growth, increases in market share, total shareholder return, executing our growth projects (including LCCP), oil and gas reserves, cost reductions, our Continuous Improvement (CI) initiative and business performance outlook. Words such as "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "seek", "will", "plan", "could", "may", "endeavour", "target", "forecast" and "project" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and there are risks that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. If one or more of these risks materialise, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. You should understand that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors are discussed more fully in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed on 28 August 2018 and in other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The list of factors discussed therein is not exhaustive; when relying on forward-looking statements to make investment decisions, you should carefully consider both these factors and other uncertainties and events. Forward-looking statements apply only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information, please contact: 

Feroza Syed, Chief Investor Relations Officer
Direct telephone: +27-(0)-10-344-7778
investor.relations@sasol.com

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SOURCE Sasol Limited