Refinery production levels decreased 0.5% compared to the same month a year earlier. The largest decreases were seen in petrochemical feedstock (-315.3 thousand cubic metres or -60.0%), asphalt (-32.8 thousand cubic metres or -8.0%) and in petroleum coke (-19.4 thousand cubic metres or -12.2%). Year-to-date production decreased 2.5% over the same period a year earlier.

The total volume of crude oil and equivalents received by refineries amounted to 8,990.7 thousand cubic metres, an increase of 2.0% when compared to October 2004. This increase was due to higher receipts of imported crude (+12.1%) but was offset by a decrease in domestic crude receipts (-6.8%). Year-to-date refinery receipts totalled 89,091.5 thousand cubic metres, down 3.9% from the same period a year earlier.

October, imports of crude and equivalents from Algeria accounted for 24% of total imports, followed by United Kingdom 18% and Norway at 16%. Year-to-date imports are down 2.1%.

Sales of refined petroleum products totalled 8,380.2 thousand cubic metres, down 3.7% from October 2004. The decrease was largely due to lower demand for petrochemical feedstock (-338.6 thousand cubic metres or -69.3%), aviation turbo (kerosene type) (-67.0 cubic metres or -10.7%) and in light fuel oil (-36.0 thousand cubic metres or -10.7%). Year to date sales for all refined products was down 0.7% from the same period in 2004.

Chart 1
Domestic sales of refined petroleum products

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

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

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

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