Saudi Aramco has raised its exports of vacuum gas oil from the Jazan refinery in May, according to traders and shipping data, indicating that the refinery has not yet reached its full production capacity.
The Jazan refinery, which is Aramco's newest refinery, was expected to increase its production of diesel containing ten parts per million of sulfur and reduce its exports of vacuum gas oil during the current quarter once it reaches full capacity.
However, shipping sector data has shown that Aramco has recently offered three shipments, each comprising 525,000 barrels of vacuum gas oil for loading from the Jazan refinery in May, up from only two shipments in April.
The shipments are likely to be loaded from May 1 to 3, from May 11 to 13, and from May 21 to 23. Aramco usually offers up to two shipments of vacuum gas oil each month, according to sector sources and previous tender data.
Vacuum gas oil, which is a residual oil from the petroleum distillation process, is used as a feedstock for refineries to produce diesel.
