(ICIS) -- Japan is seeking prompt supplies of fuel to run its power plants and plug a severe domestic shortfall, after about 22% of its refining capacity was shut down in the aftermath of the 11 March earthquake, market sources said on Wednesday.
Japan was seeking 10 parts per million (ppm) of diesel, gasoline, fuel oil, low-sulphur waxy residual products, traders said, but details on the volumes sought were not immediately available.
Five refineries, with a combined capacity of about 999.000 bbl/day, were forced to shut down following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the country's northeast on 11 March. These included JX Nippon Oil and Energy's refineries in Sendai, Kashima and Negishi, as well as refineries of Cosmo Oil and Kyokuto Petroleum in Chiba.
About a third of Japan's energy comes from nuclear power, 20% from liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the remainder largely from oil products, with a small amount from renewable energy, market sources said.