OREANDA-NEWS. March 31, 2017. Refinery maintenance in Chile has drawn a large number of diesel cargoes from the US west coast and Gulf coast in recent weeks, but the trend could slow as US prices face upward pressure.

Chile's state-owned Enap on 12 March began the first phase of planned maintenance at its 115,000 b/d Bio Bio refinery. The maintenance took about 50pc of its capacity offline and will last for 45-50 days. The surge in diesel shipments followed.

At least nine cargoes will carry approximately 2.7mn bl of ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) to Chile from the US west coast by the end of April. The most recent booking was the Ardmore Seavanguard, loading 3 April.

At least six more cargoes will move 1.8mn bl of diesel from the US Gulf coast to Chile as well, the most recent bookings being the Nord Intelligence, also loading on 3 April, fixture reports show.

But further exports from both coasts may face pressure from US refinery maintenance and a shortage of vessels.

Supplies on the US west coast could tighten in the coming weeks as PBF is planning extensive maintenance at its 155,000 b/d Torrance, California, refinery. The maintenance, involving the crude unit, a hydrocracker, a hydrogen plant, and a coker, is likely to begin in April and last for 55 days.