The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has allowed three major Pakistani refineries to export a combined 160,000 metric tonnes (MT) of furnace oil during the current month, subject to maintaining adequate strategic reserves for domestic requirements.

The approvals were granted to Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL), Pak-Arab Refinery Limited (Parco) and National Refinery Limited (NRL) following in-principle clearance from the National Committee on Management of Crises (NCMC).

Under the approved allocations, PRL can export 50,000MT of furnace oil, while Parco has been permitted to ship 60,000MT. NRL has received approval to export 50,000MT of high-sulphur furnace oil (HSFO).

OGRA said the permissions are conditional on refineries maintaining sufficient strategic furnace oil reserves to meet power-sector requirements and ensuring domestic supplies remain aligned with the approved supply plan. The regulator has also directed refineries to maximise loading rates to ensure export vessels depart within their assigned schedules.

The move is expected to help local refineries manage surplus furnace oil inventories and free storage capacity for higher-value petroleum products. Domestic furnace oil demand has declined over time as Pakistan's power generation mix has increasingly shifted towards alternative fuels.

OGRA stressed that the export permissions remain subject to strict compliance with reserve requirements to ensure that overseas shipments do not disrupt domestic fuel availability or compromise energy security.