U.S. crude oil stockpiles rose unexpectedly last week, as imports jumped, while distillate inventories gained and gasoline drew down, the Energy Information Administration said on Thursday.
Shell has decided not to go ahead with two projects it was studying to produce biofuels and base oils in Singapore, a company spokesperson said on Thursday.
China's mega private refineries are expected to operate at official full processing rates or higher until April as their margins have improved after the government lifted COVID-19 restrictions, company officials said on Wednesday.
International crude benchmarks slipped on Monday but recovered following China's weekend statement that it would tap its state fuel reserve while national refiners ramp up output sharply to avert a diesel shortage in the world's second-largest oil user.
Britain threw refiner Essar Oil UK a lifeline on Tuesday with a phased tax payment deal, allowing it to keep producing just as the country struggles with motorists draining petrol stations in a panic-driven buying frenzy.