PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: The stoop in oil demand within the wake of coronavirus pandemic has now led to the closure of Nationwide Refinery Restricted (NRL) and the federal government has directed oil advertising and marketing corporations (OMCs) and oil refineries to cancel orders for import of petrol and crude oil respectively.
Earlier, Attock Refinery Restricted, which operates on domestically produced crude oil, had warned that closure of the refinery would additionally have an effect on operations of oil and gasoline exploration corporations. So as to guarantee clean operations of the exploration corporations, the director common oil has conveyed his resolution to the refineries, instructing them to cancel orders for import of crude oil, however it should result in the shutdown of different refineries – Byco, PRL and Parco – that function on imported crude oil.
Along with shelving import orders for crude oil, the federal government has additionally directed OMCs to cancel orders for import of petrol to run native refineries, which has led to the shutdown of NRL.
Sources instructed The Categorical Tribune that it was a superb resolution of the federal government to shelve orders for import of petrol however cancelling orders for crude oil import would have an effect on the refineries that function on imported crude oil.
In a letter despatched to the Oil Corporations Advisory Council (OCAC) chief govt officer on Wednesday, the Petroleum Division director common oil stated that with a view to guarantee clean operations of exploration and manufacturing corporations, refineries are directed to cancel their crude imports.
The Petroleum Division additional stated that consumption of motor gasoline has dropped considerably as a result of enforcement of lockdowns by provincial governments to manage the unfold of COVID-19.
As OMCs have ample stock of the product, subsequently, all OMCs are requested to cancel their deliberate imports (April 2020 onwards) and enhance their offtake from refineries in order that operations of the refineries are maintained at an enough stage, stated the Petroleum Division, including that each one OMCs are suggested to finalise and replace their business agreements with the native refineries for the required product sourcing. “Refineries may facilitate OMCs in this regard.”
“OCAC is requested to convey above directives to all OMCs/refineries for strict compliance,” stated the Petroleum Division.
Oil refineries have hailed the choice of the federal government for its well timed intervention in stopping import of motor gasoline.
Pakistan Refinery Restricted (PRL) had declared availability of 32,000 tons of petrol for March 2020. Towards the allocation of 25,800 tons for the primary 25 days of the month, solely 16,400 tons have been lifted thus far, translating right into a shortfall of 9,400 tons.
PRL is carrying shares of over 11,000 tons and is now left with solely two days of ullage of motor spirit with no product buy order for Thursday.
“The situation is extremely serious and PRL is surviving on an hour-to-hour basis with only 48 hours of ullage left. In order to ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products, including JP-8 to Pakistan Air Force, your immediate intervention is solicited, especially in light of the directives of the ministry to OMCs to stop import of motor gasoline,” PRL stated in a letter despatched to the Petroleum Division. It added, “We request you to please consider the motor gasoline stock of refineries before permitting OMCs to resume their import of the same.”
In the meantime, NRL introduced on Thursday the shutdown of the refinery following a dip in oil demand within the wake of coronavirus-induced lockdown.
In a discover issued to the Pakistan Inventory Trade, the NRL administration stated in view of the choice of provincial governments for lockdown to curb the unfold of coronavirus, leading to extraordinarily low demand for petroleum merchandise, the corporate has determined to non permanent shut down all of its manufacturing with impact from March 25, 2020 because it carries ample inventories to fulfill present necessities.
“The decision will also help in reducing exposure of its employees to the pandemic. The situation will be reviewed during the first week of April 2020 for the restart of refinery,” it stated.
“Import of crude, petrol and diesel has been cancelled due to the reduction in country’s demand while sufficient products are already in stock,” a Petroleum Division spokesperson instructed The Categorical Tribune. “NRL has on its own closed the refinery due to the decision of provincial governments to lock down provinces while other refineries will remain in operation,” the official added.
Printed in The Categorical Tribune, March 27th, 2020.
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