A closer look at Saudi Aramco’s exports, production in 2017

Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (Saudi Aramco) exported 68.5 percent, or around 1.72 billion barrels per annum (bpa), of crude to Asia last year, the world's largest oil exporter said in a report.

The US was the second largest importer of Saudi crude oil, accounting for 14.1 percent of Aramco's exports. The Mediterranean region came in third with 5.6 percent, followed by Northwestern Europe at 5.5 percent.

Aramco exported about 6.88 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2017, equivalent to a total of about 2.51 billion barrels for the year.

The company’s local sales reached 685.1 million barrels in 2017. The Western Region accounted for 58 percent of Aramco’s local sales or 400 million barrels , followed by the Central Region which bought 24 percent, or 162 million barrels.

In terms of products, gasoline sales were the highest last year at 218.6 million barrels. This was followed by diesel with 208.1 million barrels, and fuel oil at 174.5 million barrels, respectively.

Aramco produced around 1.9 million bpd of refined products from its local wholly owned projects and joint ventures.

The Ras Tanura Refinery accounted for the biggest share at 550,000 bpd.

The company’s foreign projects and joint ventures produced around 1.2 million bpd in 2017.

Production of most principal products manufactured in Saudi-based refineries declined in 2017, compared to the previous year, with the exception of diesel and fuel oil.