Bahrain's oil refinery output and gas production surged in the first half of the year, a report said.

Bahrain refinery output soared by four per cent to top a record 271,000 per day (bpd) over the first six months of this year, compared with the same period last year.

It has a production capacity of 250,000 bpd, said the report issued by the National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga).

The quantity of crude oil imported from Saudi Arabia through the oleo ducts also increased by 6.1pc, Oil Minister and Noga chairman Dr Abdulhussain Mirza said.

Local sales soared by 9.4pc due to the booming urban development momentum, and the substantial increase in cars travelling via King Fahad Causeway.

The positive sales index reflects the growing GCC family tourism. The current urban landmark projects, including highways and bridges, are also behind the rising demand for oil byproducts.

According to the report, Bahrain output of gas and associate products increased by 10.6pc to top 258.227 billion square feet, up by 24.766bn sq/ft compared with 233.461bn last year.

Natural gas topped 207.06bn sq/ft (80pc) compared with 51.165bn sq/ft (20pc) for associate gases.

This quantity is consumed in full locally, whether in generating power or industries. A substantial bulk is also injected in Bahrain Oil Field to boost production.

'The 10.6pc increase aims at meeting the soaring demand due to power plans, industrial projects and other infrastructure schemes,' Dr Mirza said.

Power plants consume a major bulk of 33pc, followed by Alba (25pc), Bapco(17pc injected in oilfields) and Gulf Petrochemicals Industries Company (GPIC) (9pc). The remaining 16pc goes to feed industrial companies across Bahrain.

Subsidiaries of Bahrain Oil and Gas Holding consortium have also reaped positive results. Thus, Banagas reported an increase by 8.6pc over last year.

Bahrain Fuelling Company said production increased by 17pc, compared with 7.4pc for GPIC.

The Noga report also revealed a slight decrease in Bahrain Oil Field output as production dropped to 5.990 million barrels. This amounts to a daily output of 32,913 barrels.

The decrease is normal as the replete Bahrain Oil Field is considered as the oldest of its kind among all GCC countries.

Meanwhile, Abu Saafa production topped 27.282m barrels, up from 27.110 over the same period last year, which yields a daily output averaged 149, 903 barrels daily. Abu Saafa crude oil exports soared to 27.489m up from 26.676m barrels next year, an increase of 813,000 barrels.

The rising foreign demand is the main reason underlying the surge in Abu Saafa exports.

Bahrain also imported 42.605m barrels of crude oil from Saudi Arabia, up from 40.147m barrels. Daily crude oil imports from Saudi Arabia averaged 234,000 barrels.

Meanwhile, 48.650m barrels of crude oil have been pumped into the refinery. The major bulk of 87pc is imported from Saudi, in addition to 13pc extracted from from Bahrain Oil Field. This amounts to a daily 267,000 barrels of crude oil, up from 256,000 barrels last year.

The quantity of crude oil pumped to Bahrain Refinery increased by 4pc to top 49.407m barrels.

This amounts to daily 271.000 barrels, thus exceeding the refining capacity which stands at 250,000 barrels.

'The 8.4pc increase in productivity represents a remarkable achievement for Bahrain Refinery which dates back to over seven decades,' Dr Mirza said.

Oil byproduct exports dropped by 6pc to 42.460m over the first six months. This gives a daily average of exports topping 233, 301, down from 248, 232.

The surge in local demand on oil byproducts and the substantial increase in local sales are behind the slight drop.

Exports of oil byproducts include naphtha, petrol, kerosene, air fuel, diesel, fuel oil, limestone and asphalt.

Bahrain Gas company also exports propane, butane and and naphtha to GCC, Asian, African and EU countries, in addition to the US.

According to the Noga report, domestic sales soared by 9.4pc to 4.414m barrels (daily average of 24, 251 barrels) up from 4.033m barrels.

Diesel represents a major bulk of 34pc of local sales, followed by Mumtaz petrol (30pc) and gasoil (23pc). Liquefied oil, gas, kerosene and asphalt constitute the remaining 13pc.

Oil companies have posted positive results, according the report.

GPIC output increased by 8pc, to top 784, 229 tonnes, which gives an daily average of 4,309 tonnes. GPIC also produces urea (42pc), ammonia (31pc) and methanol ( 27pc).

Banagas also reported a half-year output of 1.752m barrels, at a daily average of 9.627 barrels, up from 8.869 last year.

Naphtha tops Banagas production with 47pc, followed by propane (27pc), butane (26pc). Banagas overall exports have also topped 1.731m barrels. Bafco sales also soared to 2.455m barrels, at a daily average of 13, 487 barrels, up from 11, 486 barrels. - TradeArabia News Service