SINGAPORE: Pakistan bought more than 500,000 tonnes of fuel oil for the third consecutive month this year as power generation needs peak during the summer, official data showed.  

Total fuel oil imports for June stood at around 509,000 tonnes, six per cent lower than the previous month, according to figures released by the Oil Companies Advisory Committee.

Imports of high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) fell by around five per cent to 451,000 tonnes, while low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) purchases were 15 per cent lower at 58,000 tonnes.

“It's a seasonal thing. Pakistan usually buys more for the summer as there is less hydropower output, and they import less during the monsoon,” said a trader.

Hydropower constitutes the bulk of electricity generation, but Pakistan relies on fuel oil-powered plants during the summer when there is less rain, according to industry sources.

Fuel oil imports are expected to be lower in July, when the monsoon usually starts. Pakistan's main buyer, Pakistan State Oil, has secured 490,000 tonnes of HSFO and LSFO for delivery over July-September. It has also issued a term tender to seek two million tonnes of HSFO for a period of 12 months, a tender document showed on Friday.

The tender closes on Aug 7, with offers to remain valid until Aug 18.