Higher domestic oil products consumption in July

Domestic oil products sales up 2% in July


New Delhi, Aug. 30

Higher sales of auto fuels pushed up the domestic oil products consumption in July. The oil products sale in July was up by 2 per cent at 11.42 million tonne year-on-year, according to an industry analysis data of Petroleum Ministry.

Industry trackers say, though 2 per cent was a good growth, it was lower than 3.6 per cent growth seen in July last year. The high sales registered in July last year was mainly because of 10.7 per cent growth seen in diesel consumption due to drought in many areas.

Petrol sales in July this year rose 14.8 per cent to 1.16 million tonne from a year ago and diesel consumption rose 5.6 per cent to 4.8 million tonne. The annual sales of kerosene, lubes, Bitumen and some of the other industrial products were down in July.

Crude oil imports in July rose 3.8 per cent from a year earlier to 13.19 million tonne, as refiners processed more crude. The petroleum products imports rose 34.6 per cent and oil products exports saw an increase of 26.5 per cent from a year ago.