Oil Refiners Process Less Crude In April As Pandemic Curbs Demand, Mobility

The nation’s crude oil processing fell in April from the earlier month with prime refiners lowering crude runs as a fierce second wave of coronavirus infections curbs mobility and demand for gas. Refiners processed about 4.9 million barrels per day (bpd) or 19.89 million tonnes of oil final month, authorities information confirmed. That was 1.2 per cent decrease than March ranges however a 35 per cent leap from a yr earlier. 

“As of now, the companies are not operating at maximum capacity because several states have placed partial shutdowns and have granted permission to operate at half capacity,” mentioned Gaurav Garg, Head of Research at CapitalVia Global Research.
 

India’s crude oil processing slips in April
Photo Credit: Reuters

Fuel demand additionally fell final month as world’s third-largest oil client has been reporting round 250,000 infections and 4,000 deaths each day. A second wave of virus infections have compelled a number of states to impose stricter restrictions to restrict the motion of individuals, impacting industrial actions and gas consumption.

Oil refiners operated at a median charge of 96.82 per cent in April in contrast with 98.89 per cent within the prior month, the information confirmed. The nation’s greatest refiner, Indian Oil Corp has decreased crude processing to common at 84 per cent of total capability from 96 per cent in April.

“We expect refinery crude intake in India to drop by nearly 900,000 bpd in 2Q 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels, as Indian refiners reduce runs significantly during May and June, with effects lasting into the third quarter,” mentioned Julie Torgersrud from Rystad Energy’s Oil Market workforce.

Road site visitors has been severely impacted in each cities and rural areas and the results on refined merchandise demand are anticipated to final by the third quarter, she added. On a yearly foundation, crude oil manufacturing within the nation eased 2.1 per cent to 609,000 bpd or 2.49 million tonnes and was down 4.6 per cent from March.