Singapore steps in to assist Japan with oil products

Singapore is supplying beleaguered Japan with oil products, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel in addition to fuel oil for power plants. With one-third of Japan’s refining capacity shut down following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, ExxonMobil Singapore announced that it is shipping crude oil to Japan, while Shell says it is diverting some liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes for use in Japan’s power plants. One-third of Japan’s oil refining capacity was shut down following the natural disaster. Prior to the country’s current crisis, Japan’s refineries produced four million barrels per day which dropped to a mere 2.7 million barrels per day afterwards. Unfortunately, some of the Singapore refineries are shut down for maintenance. A spokesperson for ExxonMobil said that, “Even while the Jurong refinery is presently undergoing a turnaround, the rest of ExxonMobil Singapore’s refinery is making all efforts to maximize production at the Pulau Ayer Chawan site to minimize the impact of the Japan situation to our customers in the region. In addition, EM is leveraging on its regional oil supply network, which includes refineries and supply systems in Japan and Singapore, to provide Japan with its necessary fuel supplies.” South Korea has also stepped in. South Korea’s S-Oil Corp. will besupplying 2.4 million barrels of oil products to Japan, while GS Caltex and Hyundai Oilbank are also expected to supply oil products after receiving requests from Japan. Indonesian oil refineries have also received requests from Japan for crude oil and LNG. (March 19, 2011)