Petroleum demand in Germany, one of the world's major oil consumers and importers, rose barely 1% in 1993 to about 127 million tons or 2.5 million b/d, based on 7.3 bbl/ton.
A preliminary estimate by Esso AG also shows Germany's product imports dropped slightly to 45 million bbl while exports increased to 14.5 million bbl from 13.3 million bbl.
Part of the gain in total demand stemmed from increased purchases of gasoline and diesel fuel toward the end of 1993 for storage in anticipation of a new fuel tax effective Jan. 1, 1994.
Gasoline demand went up only 1.6% to 31.9 million tons in 1993 even though the automobile population rose 2.3%. Diesel fuel demand climbed 6% to 25.4 million tons.
The most important factors in diesel fuel demand were the continuing east-west transport of goods and high construction activity in the former East Germany.
Conversion from low quality coal to home heating oil in East Germany was evident in the statistics. Demand for home heating oil in the "new" German states rose 7% to 4.8 million tons, while consumption advanced only 1% in the "old" states to 37.3 million tons. Combined demand for heavy oil fell 11%.
Refinery capacity remained essentially constant at 111.1 million tons while conversion capacity due to increased demand for light products rose to 45 million tons from 42.8 million tons.
In all, the refining sector processed 116.5 million tons of crude oil and half finished products in 1993, a utilization rate of 92%.
Of the 99.1 million tons (725 million bbl) of crude oil Germany imported in 1993, 17.8 million tons came from Norway, making it Germany's leading supplier. Second place went to the former Soviet Union, including Ukraine, which delivered 17 5 mill on bbl, an increase of 4% in spite of economic problems there. The U.K. and Libya followed with 12.5 million tons and 11 million tons, respectively.
Members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries furnished 44% of Germany's imports, North Sea producers 31%.
Copyright 1994 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
