ABSTRACT OF THE P3A TWINNING PROJECT FICHE
1.1.
Programme to support the reforms in the energy sector in Morocco
1.2.
Twinning Number MA10/ENP-AP/EY21
1.3
Title: Reinforcement of the institutional capacities of the Kingdom of Morocco
and convergence of legal and regulatory frameworks for an optimized
management of the downstream petroleum industry and the development of the
natural gas market with EU's Acquis
1.4
Sector: Energy EY
1.5.
Beneficiary country: Kingdom of Morocco
2.1
General objective

The projects aims at supporting the Moroccan efforts in implementing a performing
energy policy, responding to its economic, social and environmental requirements, which
could support the integration, in a long term, of Moroccan energy market with EU's one.
2.2

Specific objectives
In order to optimize the management of the downstream petroleum industry, and
accompany the development of the market and the infrastructures of the natural gas in
coherence with the international and EU standards, an appropriate legal and regulatory
framework is set up and the institutional capacities of the main Moroccan actors (in
particular the Ministry of Energy and Mines, water and Environment - MEMEE) are
strengthened.
2.3 Contribution at the national Development/Association agreement/action Plan Level
Article 57 of the Association agreement between the Kingdom of Morocco and the EU
defines the different axes in terms of energy cooperation.
Moreover, the Action Plan EU/Morocco stipulates on action points n° (65) Strengthening the
role of Morocco in the regional energy supply security: Strengthening regional capacity for
storage of energy products and n° (68) Development of natural gas use:
Description
3.1
Context and justification
As a result of the 2020-2030 prospective assessment concerning the Moroccan energy
strategy, a new energy strategy has been endorsed by all stakeholders at the occasion of the
first national energy assizes, beginning 2009. This strategy aims for five goals: (i) energy
supply security and availability; (ii) general access to energy at competitive prices; (iii)
demand side management; (iv) taking over of advanced technologies and promotion of
expertise; (v) environmental protection.
The Moroccan downstream oil sector and the natural gas require a limited but focused
support of the European Union:

In the downstream oil sector, which is essentially private sector activities, proposed
actions relate to matters that are still barriers to the completion of the liberalization
process (including prices), security of supply of petroleum products (security stocks) and
putting to "international" standard for the security of energy facilities and product
quality.
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In the field of natural gas, as regards supporting the MEMEE, institution that might/shall
in the future regulate the gas market, and the other stakeholders, in order to finalize the
regulatory framework, define the structure of the industry and clarify the contractual
framework of the market.

3.2
Related activities
In the downstream oil sector, the partners are mainly oil companies: international companies,
Moroccan groups in the distribution and shareholder of SAMIR. Outside the EC, only the
World Bank is contributing to studies. We find the same partners and the private sector in the
development of natural gas, along with the ONE.
3.3
Results by relevant Activities
Results 1: An optimized system of energy security is put in place, including a strategy for
security stocks management
Activity 1.1: Develop a strategy defining the storage and crisis management
mechanisms
Activity 1.2: Develop and implement procedures relating to security stocks,
emergency plans and supply programs by sector
Activity 1.3 Organize a study tour in Europe for 15 days for 4 managers
Activity 1.4 Organize two training seminars for managers from the Directorate of
Fuel and Petrol (DCC)
Activity 1.5 Review the simulation and planning models for stocks management and
propose functional improvements thereof
Results 2: The design of a process of liberalization of petroleum product prices and a
gradual reduction in untargeted subsidies is engaged
Activity 2.1: Conduct a study on fiscal and structural impacts of the liberalization of
petroleum products prices and the management of grants
Activity 2.2: Organize two seminars on the European experience of liberalization and
transition formulas
Activity 2.3: Support the decision process for the choice of transition mode,
supporting the revision of legislation and regulation
Activity 2.4: Contribute to the set up of a process of liberalization of petroleum
prices and progressive decrease of grants, and accompany this transition process
Activity 2.5: Organize training courses in Europe for 15 days for 4 managers (2
managers of the DCC, 2 managers of the Directorate for Competition and Prices) on
the technical control procedures and the organization of central services and in
regions
Results 3: The capacities of the security of energy (oil and gas) control are reinforced
Activity 3.1: 1 Review and revise main laws and regulations governing the control of
energy facilities, based on a gap analysis with EU's Acquis
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Activity 3.2: Organize training courses in Europe for 5 days for 10 people, on
security and risk prevention in refineries, filling centres of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
(LPG), the storage capacity of liquid petroleum products and power plants, for DCPR
Managers and Technicians and the Regional and Provincial Divisions of the MEMEE
Activity 3.3: Organize two training seminars in Morocco on gas and steam pressure
devices
Results 4: The capacities for quality control of petroleum products are strengthened
Activity 4.1: Support the development of the regulatory framework and standards
adjustments related to quality control of petroleum products, based on a gap analysis
with EU's Acquis
Activity 4.2: Supporting the introduction of procedures by training modules
Activity 4.3: Provide training for 5 days for 10 people (managers and technicians of
the DCPR and regional and provincial MEMEE divisions) on specific quality control
methods
Results 5: The institutional, legal and regulatory framework for the development of
activities related to natural gas is strengthened
Activity 5.1: Accompany final drafting of the law regarding the gas sector and its
implementing decrees (on the downstream sector)
Activity 5.2: Support the DCC and the ad hoc working groups for the preparatory
work on the organization and the market structure, gas contracts, commercial aspects,
and regulation mechanisms
Activity 5.3: Organize a study tour for 15 days for 3 people on the organization of
new gas markets in Europe
Activity 5.4: Organize training modules followed by a closing seminar in Morocco
on technical regulation and security standards of gas facilities (pipelines, LNG
terminal, storage), gas contracts and its commercial aspects, for the managers of the
DCC and the DCPR
4. Institutional framework
The steering committee of the programme is composed of the Ministry of Energy and Mines,
Water and Environment (MEMEE), the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Kingdom of
Morocco, and the European Union Delegation in Rabat.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines, Water and Environment (MEMEE) is the recipient of this
twinning project.
The following administrations and state organisations of the Kingdom of Morocco will be
involved in the realisation of this project: Directorates inside the MEMEE (“Direction de du
Contrôle et de la Prévention des Risques” "Direction des Combustibles et Carburants"), the
National Laboratory for Energy and Mining; the Ministry of General Economic Affairs, and
the Ministry of Interior which plays a central role in the prevention and the crisis
management.
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5.
Budget The maximum budget for this twinning is estimated at 1.100.000 Euros.
6.
Timetable of implementation
6.1
Launching of the calls for tenders: July 2010
6.2
Beginning of the activities of the project: May 2011
6.3
Completion of the project: December 2012
6.4
Duration of the period of implementation: 21 (18+3) months
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