The existing Murban crude oil stocks in the country are expected to run out by the first week of January and, due to the lengthy lead time involved in the shipping of Murban crude oil to the country, it is unlikely that Sri Lanka will receive a shipment before 23 January, The Morning learnt.
Speaking to us, Ministry of Energy Secretary K.D.R. Olga stated: “The Sapugaskanda refinery is currently using Murban crude oil and the previous shipment of that crude oil received prior to the reopening of the Sapugaskanda Refinery earlier this month will most probably last till only the first week of January 2022.”
Explaining further, she stated that the supplier requires that the order for Murban crude oil be made 90 days in advance in order to secure the ship and book the cargo. However, it appears that due to the existing foreign exchange liquidity issues in the country, the process of placing the order has been delayed, and consequently, the next shipment of crude oil will arrive in the country only by 23 January.