ExxonMobil maintains Singapore bitumen production cuts

ExxonMobil is maintaining production cuts at its bitumen unit in Singapore and watching the market before making any plans to raise output.

Bitumen production at the Singapore-based refinery was cut "on or about May" this year because of shutdowns at some units in the complex, ExxonMobil said. "We will review our plans on an ongoing basis in response to market conditions," the company said, declining to comment further.

The Singapore unit can produce about 100,000-120,000 t/month of bitumen. Singapore is a key supplier of the product, exporting 2.5mn t in 2019.

ExxonMobil's continuing production curbs come at a time when several other regional producers are curtailing refinery output because of the impact of Covid-19. Refining NZ last week announced it would halt bitumen production at its 135,000 b/d Marsden Point plant, New Zealand's sole refinery, from next year.

By Mahua Chakravarty