Recent OECD refining capacity closures

In the OECD regions, substantial refining capacity rationalization has materialized. By the end of 2011, capacity closures for the year passed the 1 million b/d mark, bringing cumulative shutdowns since 2008 to more than 2 million b/d. A recent assessment indicates that another 1.5 million b/d of distillation capacity permanently closed in 2012.

Source:  OPEC World Oil Outlook 2012

Map showing world maximum on-road diesel sulphur limits, September 2012

Source:  OPEC World Oil Outlook 2012

U.S. limits on diesel sulphur content

The same level of maximum 15 parts per million (ppm) sulphur for on-road diesel has also existed in the U.S. since 2010, though California introduced a 15 ppm limit for both on-road and off-road in June 2006. At the U.S. federal level, the off-road diesel limit of 15 ppm maximum came in to effect in 2012, with the exception of small refineries, which are required to meet that limit by 2014.

Source:  OPEC World Oil Outlook 2012