New Delhi [India], November 5 (ANI): Global crude oil refinery inputs declined sharply within the second quarter of 2026 following the outbreak of battle within the Middle East, with disruptions to crude provides via the Strait of Hormuz weighing on refining exercise throughout main Asian and Middle Eastern economies, in response to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Global refinery inputs fell by 4.8 million barrels per day (b/d), or 6 per cent, within the April-June quarter in contrast with the earlier quarter, information from vitality intelligence agency Kpler confirmed. Refinery throughput subsequently recovered by 1.8 million b/d within the third quarter as refiners adjusted to altering commerce flows and various provide routes.
The decline was notably pronounced in nations closely depending on crude provides passing via the Strait of Hormuz. China recorded the biggest discount, with refinery inputs falling by 2.1 million b/d within the second quarter and an additional 0.8 million b/d within the third quarter.
India, South Korea and Japan collectively noticed crude oil inputs decline by greater than 1 million b/d within the second quarter, though they recovered by 0.8 million b/d within the following quarter.
Refining exercise additionally weakened throughout the Middle East as restrictions on delivery via the strait considerably restricted exports of refined petroleum merchandise. Inputs declined by 0.7 million b/d every in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, 0.3 million b/d in Saudi Arabia and 0.2 million b/d in Iran in the course of the second quarter. Combined refinery inputs in these 4 nations elevated by 0.4 million b/d within the third quarter.
Meanwhile, Russian refinery operations confronted further stress from elevated assaults on oil infrastructure amid the continuing Russia-Ukraine battle. Crude oil inputs in Russia declined by 0.6 million b/d within the second quarter and one other 0.8 million b/d within the third quarter.
The discount in Russian refining exercise affected world diesel markets, which have been already dealing with tight provides. The mixed disruption to refining operations in Russia, Asia and the Middle East contributed to diesel costs rising to their highest nominal ranges on report in September, the EIA stated.
In distinction, refinery inputs within the United States elevated by 0.5 million b/d in each the second and third quarters because the nation stepped up refined product exports to compensate for provide shortages elsewhere.
Despite the third-quarter restoration, world refinery inputs remained round 5 per cent under the degrees recorded in the course of the corresponding interval of 2025, indicating that disruptions to world refining exercise continued whilst crude oil flows step by step improved. (ANI)