Reuters reported that Saudi Aramco will shut the asphalt unit at its 550,000 barrels per day Ras Tanura refinery for planned maintenance from December 16th 2009.

Aramco in a statement said that the asphalt production unit which has a capacity of 17,000 barrels per day will be down till January 31. The company has made all the necessary arrangements to ensure that customers have enough stock to meet their requirements during the maintenance period.

According to Aramco's data, the unit's production of asphalt is the biggest among the refineries in the kingdom.

Industry sources said that last week Aramco was expected to shut its 325,000 crude distillation unit at Ras Tanura refinery in mid December for planned maintenance for 50 days.

(Sourced from Reuters)