Maintenance meets margins

摘要

European turnarounds are lighter this spring than last year, but strong gasoline prices are lifting margins. The refinery turnaround programme in northwest Europe is lighter this spring than in either spring or autumn last year. Particularly heavy maintenance in the autumn boosted margins for refiners not undergoing turnarounds. The clo closure of much of bankrupt firm Petroplus’ former refining capacity in northwest Europe limited runs last year. The 180,000 b/d Coryton refinery in southeast England has permanently closed, while the 146,000 b/d Petit Cou ronne facility in northern France is likely to follow suit. The remaining 275,000 b/d of former Petroplus capacity restarted under new ownership last year.