Sinopec to Increase Refinery Output to Meet Holiday Demand

China Petroleum & Chemical (Sinopec) will increase the output from its Maoming oil refinery by 1.6% in July 2010 to meet rising holiday demand.

Sinopec spokesperson Cai Zhan told Bloomberg that the oil processing volume for its second largest refinery will rise to 1.05 million tonnes in July 2010, which is equivalent to 247,258 barrels a day from the previous 243,333 barrels a day.

The Maoming plant operated at its full capacity of about 270,000 barrels a day during July-August 2009, according to Bloomberg, which cited a 26 August 2009 statement by Cai.

Demand for oil products usually rises in China between July and September when school holidays result in increased energy consumption.