SAPREF

SAPREF is the largest crude oil refinery in Southern Africa, a joint venture between Shell SA Refining and BP Southern Africa located in Prospecton, Durban. The refinery has operated for more than 50 years, processing in the region of 24 000 tons of crude oil a day for an annual refining capacity of roughly 8.5 million tons, and produces petrol, diesel, liquid petroleum gas, aviation fuel, marine fuel oil, solvents, base oils and paraffin that supply a significant share of South Africa's domestic fuel needs.

SAPREF's bursary programme targets scarce and critical skills within the petrochemical and energy sector, funding first- and second-year students at mainstream public universities in engineering, environmental science, finance, logistics and supply chain, and human resources management. Awards typically cover tuition, textbooks, accommodation, meals and a living allowance, alongside early exposure to refinery operations intended to improve bursars' employability once they graduate. As a joint venture between two multinational energy majors operating in South Africa, SAPREF's bursary programme also reflects the shareholders' broader skills-development and transformation commitments within the local energy sector.

Publicly available sources indicate that SAPREF bursars are expected to honour whatever work-back terms are set out in their individual, signed bursary contracts, but confirm that employment afterward is not automatically guaranteed — successful bursars are typically considered for internship and graduate-programme placements rather than an assured permanent role. Applicants should read their specific contract carefully rather than assume a fixed number of committed service years.