Imports of propane from Libya are helping to compensate for reduced Italian refinery production, according to industry sources.
Domestic Italian propane production has been reduced due to closure for maintenance at the Gela and Falconara refineries. Gela is expected to be closed for a year.
However, exports of propane from Libya, which sources said resumed a few months ago after a hiatus following the civil war, have helped to cover this reduced refinery availability.
The quantities of propane currently being exported from Libya are said by sources to be about 30% lower than the pre-civil war levels.
Propane exports from the Libyan terminal of Mellitah are currently reported to be around 18,000 mt/month, down from 27,000 mt/month, and propane exports from Zuitina are also below the 15,000 mt/month pre-war level.
"It is a little bit less than we used to see," said one trader.
Libya has also resumed exports of butane, but according to sources, most of this product appears to be moving to destinations in the East Mediterranean with the bulk of the propane exports moving to Italy.
