Attock Refinery Limited (ARL), one of Pakistan’s key oil refining companies, has temporarily halted its Heavy Crude Distillation Unit as part of operational adjustments to manage unusually high inventories of refined fuel products.
The unit was taken offline on February 5, 2026, in response to market conditions that left the refinery with excess Premier Motor Gasoline (PMG), according to regulatory filings made to the Pakistan Stock Exchange.
Why the Shutdown Happened
The decision reflects reduced uptake of refined fuel by oil marketing companies, which led to a build-up of gasoline stocks at the refinery.
Rather than reducing overall refinery throughput or risking a complete standstill, ARL chose to temporarily close the heavy crude unit while keeping other processing units running.
This step helps balance production with current demand levels and avoids unnecessary storage overflow.
Operations and Product Supply
Despite the shutdown of this specific crude unit, ARL confirmed that its downstream processing units will continue normal operations, and other crude distillation units remain active.
The company also assured stakeholders that it will maintain its committed supply volumes and ensure uninterrupted dispatches of petroleum products throughout the month.
Industry and Market Context
Temporary shutdowns of refining units can occur when product stocks grow faster than market demand, particularly when sales of petrol and diesel decline or imports compete with local production.
By managing inventory this way, refineries maintain operational flexibility without compromising broader supply obligations or market stability.
What This Means
For the petroleum market in Pakistan, the move indicates a responsive management approach by Attock Refinery amid shifting demand patterns.
While the heavy crude unit remains offline for now, the refinery’s overall output and product distribution are expected to stay on track. Investors and industry watchers will likely follow how quickly product inventories normalize and when the unit is brought back online.