Oct 19 (Reuters) – Australia’s Ampol reported a 125% rise in third-quarter refining margins at its Lytton refinery on Monday while lowering its expected output of higher-value products at the refinery for the fourth quarter, reflecting advanced maintenance work.
Australia’s top fuel retailer said its Lytton refining margin increased to $23.92 per barrel for the third quarter, from $10.64 per barrel a year ago.
Supply disruptions due to conflict in the Middle East boosted its refinery margins and continue to be a net favourable for Ampol’s integrated supply chain.
Ampol said it identified a need for additional maintenance work during an inspection of Lytton’s Fluidised Catalytic Cracking Unit. Maintenance work is expected to lower its production of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel by 150 million litres in the fourth quarter compared with its previous outlook.
Total group sales volume was 6,245 million litres for the third quarter, up from 6,028 million litres a year earlier.
(Reporting by Keshav Singh Chundawat in Bengaluru; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Edmund Klamann)
