Abu Dhabi will continue to import petrol for at least another year in order to help the emirate meet domestic demands until a new refinery in Ruwais begins producing fuel in 2014
Sultan Al Mehairi, marketing and refining director at Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), said, “We’re balanced on most products, except for [petrol].”
Gulf crude exporters, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the UAE, buy refined fuels like petrol and diesel to meet local demand when they don’t have sufficient capacity.
The countries are, at present, expanding refinery operations to satisfy that demand and cut imports.
Ahmed Abdulla, chief operating officer at ADNOC’s refinining arm, said, “ADNOC is doubling its capacity at the existing 400,000 bpd Ruwais facility, and expects to bring the new unit online by March 2014.
“[Petrol] production from the new unit will start in April or May next year and will double output to 15mn cubic metres a year.”
The new plant will also include a 127,100 bpd residue fluid catalytic cracker, a plant that makes the transport fuel and chemical products, he added.
