Refinery uplift rises 12.7% in April on higher diesel, furnace oil demand

Pakistan’s refining sector recorded higher volumes in April 2026, with total refinery uplift increasing 12.7% year-on-year, supported by stronger demand for high-speed diesel and furnace oil.

HSD uplift rose 11.3% to 442,000 tonnes, while furnace oil offtake increased 26% to 235,000 tonnes. Oil marketing companies’ furnace oil sales rose 62.7% to 137,000 tonnes. In contrast, motor spirit uplift declined 1.7% during the month.

Refinery production increased 10.7% year-on-year to 993,000 tonnes in April, driven by higher output of HSD, which rose 15.1% to 502,000 tonnes, and motor spirit, which increased 5.8% to 235,000 tonnes.

Industry utilisation stood at 58.1% in April, marginally higher than 58% in March and above 52.5% recorded in the same month last year. HSD accounted for 50.5% of total output, followed by motor spirit at 23.6% and furnace oil at 19.7%.

On a cumulative basis, refinery uplift reached 9 million tonnes during the first 10 months of FY2026, reflecting a 12.6% increase year-on-year. Growth was led by motor spirit and HSD, which rose 11.6% and 21.9%, respectively.

Among individual refineries, Attock Refinery Limited recorded sales of 153,000 tonnes in April, up 32.7% year-on-year. Furnace oil sales increased 297.5% to 58,000 tonnes, while motor spirit and HSD sales declined due to crude supply disruptions linked to road closures. The refinery temporarily shut its main crude distillation unit on April 22, resuming operations on May 4. Its market share rose to 16%.

Pakistan Refinery Limited posted an 18.1% increase in sales to 132,000 tonnes, supported by higher motor spirit and furnace oil volumes.

National Refinery Limited reported a 78% increase in sales to 143,000 tonnes, driven by growth across motor spirit, HSD and furnace oil.

Cnergyico PK Limited recorded sales of 146,000 tonnes, up 29.9% year-on-year, supported by higher motor spirit and HSD volumes.

In terms of utilisation, Pakistan Refinery Limited operated at 76.1%, the highest among refineries, followed by National Refinery Limited at 62.4% and Attock Refinery Limited at 59.4%. Cnergyico PK Limited reported utilisation of 24.1%.