Aramco Offers Rare 1.5 pct Gasoil Cargo

Aramco Trading, the trading arm of oil producer Saudi Aramco, has offered a rare gasoil cargo with a 1.5 percent sulphur content for June lifting from Rabigh, traders said on Thursday.

The 500,000 barrel cargo was offered through a tender closing on May 29, with bids to stay valid until June 1.

It was unclear what had led to the offer of the gasoil cargo but the 400,000 barrel Rabigh refinery is scheduled to undergo a 50-day maintenance starting Oct. 4.

The offer came at a time when Saudi Aramco's gasoil consumption is about to peak as summer approaches.

However, its gasoil imports are expected to be hit record low levels this year due to new refineries built in the last two years.

Reporting by Seng Li Peng