​The production of standard grade petrol (M-91) by Omani refineries has seen a robust 41% jump to touch 11.92 million barrels during the first 10 months of 2018, over the same period of last year. However, the output of super grade petrol (M-95) declined by 22 per cent to 9.96 million barrels during January-October period of this year, according to data released by the Centre.

The surge in production of standard grade petrol over super grade petrol was supported by a significant growth in demand. Oman has two refineries – Mina Al Fahal (Muscat) and Sohar Refinery, which are owned by Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic).

The NCSI report also showed that gas oil (diesel) output rose by 21% to 24.66 million barrels, while aviation fuel production jumped by 105% to 11.34 million barrels during January-October period of 2018, over the same period of last year. Production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) also rose by 14% to 5.72 million barrels during the first 10 months of this year.

Of the total production of M-91 grade petrol (which is the cheapest petrol available in the market), 10.33 million barrels were sold in the domestic market.

However, domestic sales of M-95 grade petrol stood 23% lower at 9.71 million barrels, while sales of gas oil (diesel) within the country stood steady at 13.65 million barrels during January-October period of 2018. Domestic sales of aviation fuel oil were 2% higher at 4.01 million barrels, while LPG sales within the country rose 11% to 2.12 million barrels during January-October period of 2018.

As far as petrochemicals are concerned, production of polypropylene by Orpic for the first 10 months of 2018 fell by 5% to 207,000 tonnes, while output of paraxylene and benzene rose by 8% and 1 per cent to 570,000 tonnes.

Further, Omani refineries exported 198,000 tonnes of benzene during the first 10 months of 2018, while exports of paraxylene and polypropylene stood at 538,000 tonnes and 166,000 tonnes, respectively.