Refinery production levels decreased 2.4% compared to the same month a year earlier. The largest decreases were seen in other products (-108.7 thousand cubic metres or -24.6%), light fuel oil (-92.2 thousand cubic metres or -10.6%) and in petrochemical feedstock (-47.7 thousand cubic metres or -11.0%). 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 8,611.5 thousand cubic metres, a decrease of 6.5% when compared to February 2005. This decrease was due to lower receipts of imported crude receipts (-20.9%) but was offset by an increase in domestic crude receipts (+10.2%). Year-to-date refinery receipts totalled 17,326.9 thousand cubic metres, down 6.6% from the same period a year earlier.

February, imports of crude and equivalents from Norway accounted for 24% of total imports, followed by Algeria at 22% and United Kingdom at 19%. Year-to-date imports are down 20.6%

Sales of refined petroleum products totalled 7 642.7 thousand cubic metres, down 3.3% from February 2005. The decrease was largely due to lower demand for heavy fuel oil (-98.6 thousand cubic metres or -16.0%), aviation turbo fuel (kerosene type) (-71.7 thousand cubic metres or -14.1%) and in light fuel oil (-67.1 thousand cubic metres or -10.8%). Year-to-date sales for all refined products were down 6.6% from the same period in 2005.