PETROCHINA and Sinopec to raise output and imports

PetroChina and Sinopec, China's two leading oil producers, yesterday revealed plans to increase the production and import of refined oil products in June, to ensure supply for wheat reaping and quake relief efforts.

PetroChina said it would keep its operations at full steam this month to jack up its oil processing by 6 percent over last month. The oil group would also import 600,000 tons of oil products. Sinopec, Asia's largest oil refiner, will cut its ethylene production by 65,000 tons, or 11 percent of its monthly production capacity, in June to expand oil product supplies by 200,000 tons.