Throughout 2023, Falconara averaged 60,000 b/d in crude receipts, a slight decrease from 65,000 b/d in 2022. The refinery was a significant consumer of Iraq’s medium sour Kirkuk Blend; however, availability has been constrained for nine months, potentially impacting throughput.

In December, Italy’s seaborne crude imports, excluding the northeast terminal of Trieste, rose to 1.21 million b/d from 1.11 million b/d in November. Azeri BTC Blend was the largest supplier, delivering approximately 200,000 b/d, followed by Libya at 185,000 b/d, Iraq at 125,000 b/d, the U.S. at 115,000 b/d, and Kazakhstan’s Kebco at 105,000 b/d.

The maintenance at Falconara aligns with broader trends in European refinery operations, where maintenance schedules are influenced by market conditions and logistical challenges. For instance, in 2020, European refinery maintenance shutdowns were extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting nine refineries at one point.

The Falconara refinery’s maintenance is part of routine operations to ensure efficiency and safety. Such scheduled downtimes are common in the industry and are typically planned to minimize disruptions to supply.

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