MUSCAT: Refinery production in the Sultanate of Oman recorded a marginal decline of 0.1% by the end of April 2025, according to preliminary data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Despite this minor decrease, the country witnessed a substantial surge in exports of premium-grade motor fuel and several key petrochemical products.
Production of regular petrol (M91) increased by 9.8%, reaching approximately 5.78 million barrels compared to 5.26 million barrels in the same period in 2024. Domestic sales of regular petrol also rose by 2.5% to 4.56 million barrels. On the other hand, premium petrol (M95) production saw a slight drop of 0.3%, totalling 4.11 million barrels. However, its sales increased by 1.7%, reaching 4.23 million barrels.
Gas oil (diesel) production recorded a slight decrease of 0.7%, falling to 10.33 million barrels. Nonetheless, domestic diesel consumption rose by 4.9% to reach 4.67 million barrels. Jet fuel production was down by 8.1%, amounting to 3.38 million barrels, with sales also declining by 8.7% to 1.25 million barrels.
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) production declined by 6.7% to 2.36 million barrels, compared to 2.53 million barrels in the same period last year. In contrast, LPG sales grew by 20.2%, reaching 1.30 million barrels. This rise in consumption suggests a strengthening domestic demand for gas-based fuels.
In terms of petrochemicals, production of gasoline derivatives rose by 8.7% to 59,500 metric tonnes, while paraxylene output increased by 10.5% to 196,700 metric tonnes. Polypropylene production, however, decreased by 6.9%, totalling 112,400 metric tonnes. Despite this decline, polypropylene exports witnessed a dramatic increase of 461.9%, reaching 10,800 metric tonnes, up from just 1,900 metric tonnes the previous year.
Oman’s exports of regular petrol (M91) increased by 4.7% to reach 1.04 million barrels, while exports of premium petrol (M95) jumped significantly by 66.3%, totalling 690,700 barrels compared to 415,400 barrels in April 2024. Conversely, diesel exports fell sharply by 23.4%, dropping to 4.56 million barrels from 5.96 million barrels a year earlier. Jet fuel exports also declined by 7%, reaching 2.05 million barrels, while LPG exports plunged by 69.8% to just 53,500 barrels.
Petrochemical exports showed a mixed performance. Gasoline exports increased by 3.6% to 58,200 metric tonnes. Paraxylene exports surged by 29.2% to 228,100 metric tonnes, while polypropylene exports rose by 3.8% to 79,200 metric tonnes.
Overall, while Oman’s total refinery output experienced a minor decline, the significant growth in premium petrol exports and petrochemical sales highlights the continued strength of the country's downstream sector in international markets. — ONA
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