The latest Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI) statistics reflect the beginning of a major ramp-up in Saudi refining capacity and also the start of a collapse in Iraqi refinery activity as Jihadist attacks halt operations in some areas. Data for the 12 months to June 2014 show Gulf refinery throughputs averaged 6.3mn b/d, while Saudi throughput appears to be settling above the 2mn b/d mark with a record 2.14mn b/d processed in May.
Saudi Arabia’s refinery throughputs dipped from almost 1.8mn b/d at the start of the period due to scheduled maintenance at existing plants and then increased sharply after the start-up of the first 200,000 b/d crude distillation unit (CDU) at the Aramco/Total Satorp joint venture refinery. (CONTINUED - 542 WORDS)
