Saudi Aramco shuts Jeddah refinery indefinitely: sources

Khobar, Saudi Arabia

STATE oil giant Saudi Aramco has shut down its 90,000 barrel per day crude oil refinery in Jeddah indefinitely, industry sources familiar with the matter said on Sunday.

Aramco had for years been considering whether to shut the refinery because of age and environmental concerns. The facility, which started operating in 1967, served much of the country's western region and its closure will increase demand at other Saudi facilities. It produced liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline, diesel, asphalt and jet fuel, and exported naphtha.