REFINERY NEWS ROUNDUP: Maintenance and closures in focus in Asia-Pacific | Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide
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REFINERY NEWS ROUNDUP: Gasoline output up in India; Petron’s Bataan plans temporary halt
India’s gasoline output climbed to a 14-month high in December, ending 2020 at pre-pandemic levels, as robust domestic demand spurred refiners to increase production of the motor fuel.
Gasoline production at the world’s third-largest energy consumer rose to 3.341 million mt in December, up marginally by 0.36% from the previous month, the latest data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell showed. December was the fourth straight month of increase in India’s gasoline production, the data showed. The rise in production comes amid strong domestic demand for gasoline, which has been backed by easing pandemic-related lockdowns as well as the resumption of driving activity over the fourth-quarter holiday season.
Asia-Pacific plant closures could offset new supply streams
Refinery closures in Asia-Pacific are likely to offset a wave of new supply streams into the region.
The pandemic accelerated a wave of refinery closures, with several regional refiners forced to close or review operations due to poor refining margins.
BP’s plans to shut Australia’s largest refinery in Kwinana and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp’s plans to shutter its Tabangao-based refinery in the Philippines, with several other potential closures on the horizon.
According to market sources, this will help offset a wave of new supply streams, especially of gasoil, entering the market, sources said.
REFINERY NEWS ROUNDUP: Refineries in India ramp up runs
Refineries in India have been ramping up runs after demand for products, excluding jet, reached pre-coronavirus levels.
Average capacity utilization for all categories of refineries in India improved to 87% in October compared with 86% in the previous month, showed the latest survey of the oil ministry Nov. 25, reflecting gradual improvement in oil demand as Asia’s third-largest economy unlocks. However, the October run was lower than the previous year’s run rate of 104%. In October, state-run refineries recorded 89% run compared with 104% from a year ago and 83% in September. Private refineries recorded 80% run in October compared with 103% a year-ago and 89% in September. The private refiners’ lower run rate was mainly due to lower processing at Reliance operated export focused unit at 82% after maintenance shutdown of a Crude Distillation Unit at its Jamnagar complex and a poor run of Rosneft part-owned Nayara Energy
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