Sources familiar with the matter say that Pengerang Refining Company in Malaysia (Prefchem), has reduced 'output' at its refinery after it closed one of two units for repairs - until April.

They added that this has resulted in a decrease in exports of refined goods for the month.

Two of four sources say that the refiner shut down unexpectedly one of its two residue fluid?catalytic?cracking (RFCC) units in early February for repairs.

Three sources said that Prefchem's 300 000 barrel per day (bpd), Pengerang refinery, located in?Johor is currently operating at 50% of its maximum capacity. This is down from 60% last month.

Sources who declined to identify themselves and were not authorized to speak with the media said that the refiner had cut the shipments of at least three cargoes in February due to reduced output. One was gasoline, while the other two were diesel.

Prefchem is a joint venture 50:50 between Petronas and Saudi Aramco. It did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Petronas Trading Corp. (Petco), a source said, has started to offer this week at least one spot diesel cargo loading for March shipments.

Petco hasn't yet offered any straight-run low-sulphur fuel oil in February or March, according to traders. (Reporting and editing by Edwina G Gibbs; Additional reporting by Jeslyn Lerh; Additional reporting by Trixie Yap)

(source: Reuters)