Oman’s refinery output fell 5.1 per cent during the first half of 2026, reaching 108.85 million barrels compared with 114.66 million barrels in the previous year, according to preliminary data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The decline in total production comes alongside a drop in domestic fuel sales and shifts in export volumes across multiple products.
Total motor fuel production dropped 1.5 per cent. Regular 91-octane petrol output decreased 4.7 per cent to 8.25 million barrels, while sales declined 13.3 per cent to 7.86 million barrels. However, exports of this fuel increased 4.2 per cent to 1.88 million barrels.
Premium 95-octane petrol was one of the few products to see higher output, rising 2.6 per cent to 6.89 million barrels. Domestic sales fell 13.6 per cent to 7.37 million barrels, and exports dropped 3.5 per cent to 362,900 barrels.
Diesel production recorded a sharper decline, falling 7.5 per cent to 36.53 million barrels. Sales dropped 6.1 per cent to 9.93 million barrels, while exports decreased 12.9 per cent to 27.91 million barrels. Jet fuel production increased 9.2 per cent to 14.06 million barrels, but domestic sales fell 14.3 per cent to 2.12 million barrels. Exports surged 20.9 per cent to 11.71 million barrels.
LPG production declined 4.6 per cent to 5.45 million barrels, with sales falling 22.2 per cent to 1.52 million barrels. Exports edged up 1.7 per cent to 1.71 million barrels. Naphtha production rose 3.5 per cent to 19.01 million barrels, while sales increased 4.5 per cent to 7.10 million barrels. Exports also edged higher, rising 0.8 per cent to 12.04 million barrels. Production of other refinery products fell sharply by 18.3 per cent to 18.67 million barrels, with sales declining 27.1 per cent to 14.89 million barrels and exports increasing 9.1 per cent to 5.17 million barrels.
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The petrochemicals sector showed mixed results. Benzene production increased 12.9 per cent to 97,100 metric tonnes, with exports rising 16.6 per cent to 95,500 tonnes. Paraxylene production climbed 14 per cent to 322,600 tonnes, with exports increasing 6.1 per cent to 331,700 tonnes. Polypropylene, by contrast, experienced a significant production decline of 29.4 per cent, falling to 124,600 tonnes from 176,600 tonnes a year earlier. Domestic sales increased 32.6 per cent to 20,500 tonnes, while exports fell 26 per cent to 97,000 tonnes.
Export growth in petrochemicals and jet fuel
While overall refinery production and domestic sales weakened across several major products, export performance provided some support. Growth in jet fuel and naphtha exports, along with stronger benzene and paraxylene output, offset declines in polypropylene and other refinery products.
Strong export figures in the petrochemicals sector suggest a strategic pivot in trade trends. Benzene and paraxylene shipments expanded noticeably, indicating a robust international demand for these specific chemical intermediates.
Conversely, polypropylene faces headwinds. The drop in exports for this material highlights competitive pressures in the global market. This product category struggles against cheaper alternatives from other producing nations.
The divergence in performance signals a complex market environment.
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