Idemitsu Kosan sees improving domestic jet fuel demand

Japanese refiner Idemitsu Kosan said that it had seen signs of recovery in jet fuel demand as airliners reopen domestic flights after July despite the slow resumption in international passenger flights. The company’s managing-director Yoshitaka Onuma also said that refinery runs had increased in July from April-June and expect even higher runs in the coming months.

Idemitsu Kosan’s runs rates fell to 70% over April-June from 80% a year earlier as domestic transportation fuel demand plummeted during Japan’s state of emergency on April 7-May 25. However, Onuma warned that the improvement could go into reverse if the state of emergency is reimposed. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from fellow Japanese refiner ENEOS on August 7 said the company would restart its 145,000 bpd CDU in Sendai by mid-August after being shut recently due to glitches. Earlier this month, the refiner restarted the 65,000 bpd No.3 CDU in Kawasaki refinery after being delayed from end July. Taiyo Oil plans to increase run rates at its 138,000 bpd Kikuma refinery from 60% over June-July to 80% in August. Taiyo Oil postponed a planned turnaround at the 106,000 bpd No. 1 CDU and 32,000 bpd
No. 2 CDU at the site due to the coronavirus pandemic. The maintenance was initially scheduled for
ar ound June