South Korea sustains ample APAC clean product exports on stable feedstock supply

South Korea's refining industry is set to maintain robust exports of clean oil products to Asia-Pacific customers, thanks to stable feedstock supply, according to industry sources. The government's measures have ensured that major refiners can meet their term-contract commitments for gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, while also addressing essential fuel shortfalls in the region.

With a refining capacity of 3.4 million barrels per day and domestic oil demand of 2.3 million b/d, South Korea has a surplus of 1 million b/d for exports. The country, already the top supplier of clean oil products in Asia and net exporter, has secured its feedstock crude needs for October and expects crude oil arrivals for the rest of the fourth quarter to reach at least 90% of the previous year's levels.

Key feedstocks include light sweet US crude, heavy sour Canadian and Latin American grades, as well as 1.1 million b/d of Middle Eastern sour crudes. South Korean refiners can capitalize on the situation, especially with the sharp decline in Chinese oil exports, which could tighten regional availability and boost middle distillate margins.

This, in turn, offers opportunities for South Korean refiners to supply incremental spot cargoes to regions facing supply shortages, with exports subject to government-mandated domestic fuel security requirements.