Crude refining surges, output slumps in Feb

In February 10.830 million tonne of crude oil was processed in the country, up 6.2 per cent from 10.198 million tonne processed a year ago, the petroleum and natural gas ministry said on Friday. Crude throughput in January was 11.674 million tonne. Refining in February was up 3.4 per cent than the month's target of 10.472 million tonne.

Crude refining during the first 11 months of 2005-06 to March rose 1.4 per cent to 117.888 million tonne from 116.217 million tonne in the same period last year.

Crude oil output in February declined 2 per cent to 2.545 million tonne from 2.596 million tonne a year earlier. The output was 2.774 million tonne in January. During April-February, output was 29.357 million tonne compared with 31.065 million tonne produced a year ago.

The throughput increased on the back of year-on-year jump in crude refining at Indian Oil Corporation's Koyali and Barauni refineries, according to official data released on Friday.

Crude throughput at Koyali refinery rose 38.6 per cent to 9,95,000 tonne in February from 7,18,000 tonne a year ago.