Late March Asian downstream update

China

ExxonMobil, with its partners Sinopec Corp and Saudi Aramco, have no immediate plans to expand the 240 000 bpd Fujian refining and petrochemical plant. However, the US$ 5 billion joint venture is exploring ways to raise production at the existing refinery by improving the plant's efficiency.

India

The country’s oil ministry has signed an agreement with Royal Dutch Shell’s technology and consulting unit to improve efficiency and performance at three refiners, namely Bharat Petroleum Corp., Hindustan Petroleum Corp., and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. The three year improvement program will aim to achieve a margin improvement of US$ 0.25 per bbl.

Philippines

Petron Corporation will begin work on a planned US$ 2 billion phase 2 upgrade of its Limay refinery in Bataan. The firm hopes to enlist a partner to inject funds into the project, with the eventual aim of widening the base of its petrochemical business.

Singapore

ExxonMobil has resumed maintenance work at its Singapore refinery. The work had been suspended on March 29 following a serious incident involving two contract workers.

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