More Asian refineries to export high-quality fuels

According to a report by Japan’s Institute of Energy Economics, demand for petroleum products in Asia, led by China and India, declined to 24.2 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2009 due to the economic downturn but is now continuing to rise sharply and is expected to reach 28.5 million bpd in 2015. Japanese refiners were the first to launch sulfur-free gasoline and light fuel oil in the export market in 2005 and have been enjoying a quality advantage, but with South Korea, Australia and New Zealand introducing in 2009 regulations mandating less than 10 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur content in light fuel oil and Singapore and Taiwan planning to start similar regulations in 2011, more refineries will be able to export similar quality fuels. (September 15, 2010)