ZA:Oman oil exports rise 14.8 % in first three months of 2013
Muscat: The Sultanate's crude oil exports to major countries increased 14.8 per cent during the first three months of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012, according to recently published data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information.
From January through the end of March 2013, 74,803.5 barrels of crude was exported, while only 65,133.3 barrels was exported during the same period in 2012.
According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information, China is the largest importer of crude oil from the Sultanate, while South Korea imports the smallest amount of Omani crude oil.
Statistics indicate that crude exports to China in the Jan-Mar 2013 period increased by 31.8 per cent to 42,001.5 barrels from 31,858.0 barrels compared to same period in 2012. South Korea only imported 382.9 barrels.
Further, during the first two months of this year China boosted oil imports from the Sultanate by nearly 26 per cent to maintain its position as the world's largest customer of Omani crude, accounting for more than half Oman's oil exports. Official data also showed Japan, which had been the top customer for Omani oil before it was overtaken by China, slashed its crude imports, while India and South Korea imported no crude from the Sultanate during the first two months of 2013.The world's major crude oil exporting countries are Japan, South Korea, Thailand, China, Taiwan, India and Singapore.
Refined fuels
Meanwhile, according to reports, the Sultanate began importing refined fuels earlier this year, the head of Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic) said, following a two-month shutdown of its largest refinery.
Quoting government data, the report added that the shutdown slashed Omani oil output by 42 per cent in the first quarter of 2013, with a 24 per cent decrease in diesel and 69 per cent drop in naptha production. The report also added that the shutdown had forced Oman to import more fuels and export more crude oil that it could not refine for its own use.
However, there are reports that the Sultanate is expecting to receive final bids by May 20 to increase capacity at its largest refinery at Sohar to 180,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the current level of 116,000bpd, and is planning to build a 230,000bpd refinery at Duqm.
