The production of standard grade petrol (M-91) by Omani refineries has seen a significant 36 percent jump to touch 6.74 million barrels in the first half of this year, over the same period of last year. However, the output of super grade petrol (M-95) declined by 23% to 5.94 million barrels during the first half of this year, according to data released by the (NCSI).
The surge in production of standard grade petrol over super grade petrol was supported by a significant growth in demand. Oman 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 26% to 14.82 million barrels, while aviation fuel production surged ahead by 138% to 6.72 million barrels during January-June period of 2018, against the same period of last year. Production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) also rose by 40% to 3.14 million barrels during the first half of this year.
Of the total production of M-91 grade petrol (which is the cheapest petrol available in the market), 6.24 million barrels were sold in the domestic market. Further, domestic sales of M-95 grade petrol stood at 5.63 million barrels, while sales of gas oil (diesel) within the country were at 8.27 million barrels during January-June period of 2018. Domestic sales of aviation fuel oil were at 2.34 million barrels, while LPG sales within the country touched 1.28 million barrels during January-June period of 2018.
The production of petrochemicals by ORPIC refineries also showed a marked growth in the first half. For instance, production of benzene for the first six months of 2018 touched 111,000 tonnes, while paraxylene output was up by 20% at 327,000 tonnes. Also, Omani refineries produced 146,000 tonnes of polypropylene during the first six months of 2018, registering a 17% growth over the output for the same period of last year. Omani refineries exported 103,000 tonnes of benzene during the first six months of 2018, while exports of paraxylene stood at 300,000 tonnes.
In addition, exports of polypropylene was up 4% at 114,000 tonnes during the first half of 2018, over the same period of last year.