The Paris-based IEA states that the 2.6MM b/d of refining capacity that will be added this year-the largest annual increase since the 1970s-will dwarf the 1.1MM b/d in refined products demand growth that it projects.China and the Middle East will be the main drivers in new refinery capacity additions this year.China's Zhejiang Petrochemical has said it will commence trial operations on its crude and vacuum distillation units next month that are part of the Phase-I portion of a 400K-b/d refinery and PC complex it is building.Hengli Refining and Chemical Co.also commenced trial runs at its 40QK-b/d greenfield refinery in Dalian,northeastern Liaoning province,China last month with the plant expected to reach commercial operation at some point in HI.In the Middle East,the Persian Gulf Star refinery in Iran is raising its gasoline output this year as part of the third-phase project at the plant.The launch of the third phase of the Persian Gulf Star refinery will also bring diesel production onstream by March 20.
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