Highlights Refining margins fall on rocketing crude prices Monthly throughput forecast to fall below 10 million mt Bitumen blend, fuel oil remain in demand Feedstock throughput at China’s independent refineries in the eastern Shandong province fell to a 16-month low in July amid maintenance by some key refiners, pulling down runs that were already under pressure due to weak refining margins, limited export quotas and government crackdowns. Receive daily email alerts, subscriber notes & personalize your experience. Register Now The fall contributed to a squeezing of China’s overall crude throughput in July from a record high level the month before, a trend that is expected to continue in coming months. S&P Global Platts Analytics expects China’s throughput to retreat to around 14.6 million b/d in the third quarter from 14.7 million b/d in Q2. Local energy information provider JLC on Aug. 16 said feedstock throughput in July was 2.28 […]