Salamanca to increase output with MTBE delivery

A weekend shipment of MTBE to Mexico's 220,000 b/d Salamanca refinery could bring a much needed boost in fuel production for the central states surrounding the facility amid severe fuel shortages.

Pemex told Argus today the delivery by truck of 5,000 bl of MTBE came from the 190,000 b/d Madero refinery in the northern state of Tamaulipas, which has been shut since June, but was originally from Texas.

The shipment for the Guanajuato state facility will help it produce 40,000 b/d of gasoline, according to the state governor Diego Sinhue in an attempt to calm the region during the fuel shortages. MTBE is an oxygenate needed in the final step of gasoline production.

Salamanca's refined products output — including gasoline, diesel, LPG, jet fuel, fuel oil and petrochemicals — was at 79,500 b/d in November, down by 21pc from 100,000 b/d in October, and down by 40pc from its 133,000 b/d production of November 2017.

The refinery finished 2018 with one of its refining units closed, sources told Argus.