MUSCAT: The production of standard grade petrol (M-91) by Oman’s refineries has increased by 41 per cent to touch 13.41 million barrels till the end of November 2018, over the same period of last year. However, the output of super grade petrol (M-95) declined by 19 per cent to 10.99 million barrels during January-November period of this year, according to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
The surge in production of standard grade petrol over super grade petrol was supported by a significant growth in demand. The Sultanate has two refineries — Mina Al Fahal (Muscat) and Sohar Refinery, which are owned by Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic).
The NCSI report also showed that gas oil (diesel) output rose by 22 per cent to 27.57 million barrels while aviation fuel production jumped by 89 per cent to 12.22 million barrels during the 11-month period of 2018, over the same period of last year. Production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) also inclined by 17 per cent to 6.36 million barrels during the period under review.
Of the total production of M-91 grade petrol (which is the cheapest petrol available in the market), 10.95 million barrels were sold in the domestic market.
However, domestic sales of M-95 grade petrol stood at 26 per cent, lower at 10.47 million barrels, while sales of gas oil (diesel) within the country stood steady at 14.48 million barrels during January-November period of 2018. Domestic sales of aviation fuel oil fell by 3 per cent to reach at 4.30 million barrels, while LPG sales within the country rose 11 per cent to 2.33 million barrels during January-November period of 2018.
As far as petrochemicals are concerned, production of polypropylene by Orpic for the first 11 months of 2018 fell by 6 per cent to 230,000 tonnes, while output of paraxylene and benzene rose by 6 per cent and 1 per cent to 629,000 tonnes and 221,000 tonnes, respectively.
Further, Omani refineries exported 213,000 tonnes of benzene during the first 11 months of 2018, while exports of paraxylene and polypropylene stood at 599,000 tonnes and 184,000 tonnes, respectively.
— ONA
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