Regional demand should bolster Korean refining margins in H2.

摘要

South Korea's biggest refiner expects strong demand in H2 2017, supported refining margins in the second half of the year. "The main drivers will be growing diesel demand from China and India," said Lee Yun-hi, head of SK Energy's corporate planning office. Separately, the company's owner SK Innovation said in an earnings statement mat "We expect refining margins to remain favorable on the back of solid demand." The company added that SK Energy's distillation units in Ulsan and Incheon ran at 81 in 2Q 2017, down from 91 the quarter before, due to planned maintenance, but added that the only maintenance scheduled in H2 was minor and would not impact throughputs.