M-91 petrol production soars in Oman

The surge in production of standard grade petrol over super grade petrol was supported by a robust growth in demand.

MUSCAT: The production of standard grade petrol (M-91) by Omani refineries saw a significant 38 per cent jump over the same period last year, to reach 9.27 million barrels during the first eight months of 2018.

However, the output of super grade petrol (M-95) declined by 23 per cent to 8.03 million barrels during the January-August period of 2018, 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 diesel output rose by 24 per cent to 19.91 million barrels, while aviation fuel production surged by 134 per cent to 9.17 million barrels during the JanuaryAugust period, compared to the same period last year.

Production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) also rose by 29 per cent to 4.11 million barrels during the first eight months of 2018.

Of the total production of M-91 grade petrol, which is the cheapest petrol available in the market, 8.38 million barrels were sold in the domestic market.

Further, domestic sales of M-95 grade petrol stood 25 percent lower, at 7.77 million barrels, while sales diesel fuel within the country stood steady at 11.02 million barrels during the JanuaryAugust period.