Pakistan’s oil refineries will export 140,000 MT of fuel oil in May

Oil refineries in Pakistan plan to export about 140,000 metric tons of fuel oil in May, following a surge in the country’s fuel oil exports, which more than doubled in April over same month last year, according to Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) data and industry sources.

Pakistan exported 97,452 metric tons of fuel oil in April, OCAC data showed. Despite recent military tensions with India, port operations in the southern city of Karachi have remained normal, with vessels berthed as scheduled, discharging goods and loading cargo for exports, a port official said May 20.

Pakistan recorded its highest-ever monthly fuel oil exports in March, shipping 162,468 metric tons compared with 50,021 metric tons in March 2024, OCAC data showed. The council compiles petroleum product consumption, import, and export data.

Exports of high-sulfur fuel oil between July 2024 and April 2025 climbed to 1.1 million metric tons, about 81% higher than the shipments made during the same period a year earlier.

Meanwhile, low-sulfur fuel oil exports reached 112,045 metric tons in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, up from 40,661 metric tons during the same period in the previous year, OCAC data showed.

In recent years, the Pakistani government has discouraged fuel oil use in domestic utilities, prompting refineries to increase exports.

Traditionally a net fuel oil importer, Pakistan now regularly exports the residual fuel grade to reduce stockpiles, adding to regional supplies.

In contrast to the rise in exports, Pakistan’s domestic fuel oil sales in the 10 months ending April 30 fell 31% to 596,000 metric tons, down from 869,000 metric tons during the same period a year ago, OCAC data showed.

Pakistan’s oil refineries now plan to export 110,000 metric tons of high-sulfur fuel oil and about 30,000 metric tons of low-sulfur fuel oil in May. Industry sources reported current inventories at around 142,000 metric tons of high-sulfur fuel oil and nearly 49,000 metric tons of low-sulfur fuel oil.

Pak-Arab Refinery Ltd. (PARCO) holds approximately 50,000 metric tons of high-sulfur fuel oil, Cnergyico Pk Ltd. has about 50,000 metric tons, Pakistan Refinery holds nearly 31,000 metric tons, and National Refinery holds 11,000 metric tons, according to industry data.

Industry officials confirmed that PARCO has arranged to export around 50,000 metric tons, while Pakistan Refinery plans to ship around 25,000 metric tons. Other refineries are also considering fuel oil exports.

Attock Refinery holds 34,264 metric tons of low-sulfur fuel oil, while Cnergyico has 15,149 metric tons of the low-sulfur grade.