Refinery production levels decreased 6.1% compared to the same month a year earlier. The largest decreases were seen in diesel fuel oil (-246.6 thousand cubic metres or -10.3%), petrochemical feedstock (-165.1 thousand cubic metres or -48.5%) and in asphalt (-126.6 thousand cubic metres or -24.1%). Year-to-date production decreased 2.7% over the same period a year earlier.

The total volume of crude oil and equivalents received by refineries amounted to 8,624.2 thousand cubic metres, a decrease of 9.0% when compared to September 2004. This decrease was due to lower receipts of domestic crude (-11.3%) and in imported crude receipts (-6.6%). Year-to-date refinery receipts totalled 80,100.8 thousand cubic metres, down 4.5% from the same period a year earlier.

September, imports of crude and equivalents from Norway accounted for 19% of total imports, followed by Algeria 14% and United Kingdom at 11%. Year-to-date imports are down 3.5%.

Sales of refined petroleum products totalled 8,149.9 thousand cubic metres, down 3.9% from September 2004. The decrease was largely due to lower demand for motor gasoline (-117.5 thousand cubic metres or -3.5%), petrochemical feedstock (-117.4 thousand cubic metres or -36.5%) and in heavy fuel oil (-112.0 thousand cubic metres or -15.7%). Year to date sales for all refined products was up 0.4% from the same period in 2004.

Chart 1
Domestic sales of refined petroleum products

Chart 2
Domestic sales of refined petroleum products - by product - September 2005

Chart 3
Domestic sales of refined petroleum products - by region - September 2005

Chart 4
Refinery supply of crude oils - domestic and import receipts - September 2005

Chart 5
Refinery supply of crude oils - by type - September 2005