Oil product consumption in OPEC Member Countries: a comparison of trends and structures

Abstract

The purpose of the present work is to analyse oil product consumption trends within OPECs 11 Member Countries and to compare the consumption structures within and between the countries. The study examines consumption structures by product (gasoline, kerosene, distillates, residuals and others) and the most relevant indicators of economic growth during the period 198098.The analysis shows that, during this period, most countries increased their consumption of gasoline, kerosene and distillates, which are light and medium products. However, the consumption of heavy products, such as residuals, was diversified within the considered countries.The structural change analysis, which relates to the similarities in the oil product consumption structures of Member Countries, was carried out by using sub-groups for the periods in which consumption structures are similar. This grouping seems to be the result of the (continued overleaf) 118 © 2001 Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries OPEC Review The author is Statistical Systems Analyst in the Data Services Department at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna, Austria. He wishes to acknowledge, with thanks, Hamid Dahmani, Rachid Bencherif and Keith Marchant for their comments and review of the original manuscript. Special thanks also goes to Sheela Kriz for her assistance.influence of important factors on oil consumption, mainly oil product domestic prices, refinery capacity and configuration, the demographic factor and social unrest. Further steps in the study refer to some practical aspects regarding observed homogeneity in the grouping of oil consumption patterns. Abstract (continued)June 2001