Saudi Arabia's new Jazan refinery ramps up crude stocks

19 Apr 2021

London (Quantum Commodity Intelligence) - Saudi Arabia's new Jazan refinery is ramping up, with a total 8.72 million barrels of crude discharged in March, according to Platts analysis of commodity data company Kpler.

But the refinery is facing regular missile attacks launched from just across the border with Yemen and it remains unclear when the much-delayed facility will start fully operating.

The first crude cargoes arrived in October and November 2019, though those deliveries remained in tank storage for some time, Kpler said.

The crudes are Saudi origin, from the east coast ports of Ras Tanura and Juaymah.

In February, some 4.69 million barrels were discharged into the port.

The 400,000 b/d refinery, also known by the alternate spelling Jizan, lies in the far southwest of Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea, about 60 km from the Yemeni border.

Saudi Aramco has yet to formally announce its commissioning.

The opening of the plant has been delayed for more than a year amid the collapse of oil demand from Covid-19.

Security threats from Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels this year could now extend the delays.

The most recent attack came April 15, at least the third targeting Jazan since the beginning of March, although Saudi officials have said their defence forces have intercepted every missile.