Valero to Run its 14 Refineries at up to 96.5% Capacity in Q4

Valero Energy (VLO.N) plans to operate its 14 oil refineries in North America and Britain at up to 96.5% of their combined total throughput capacity of 3.2 million barrels per day (bpd) in the fourth quarter, the U.S. independent refiner's vice president of investor relations and finance, Homer Bhullar, said on Thursday.

Valero's refineries in the U.S., Canada and Wales ran at 95% of their combined capacity in the third quarter of the year, Bhullar said in conference call to discuss results with Wall Street analysts.

For the fourth quarter, the low end of the range was 93% of total combined throughput.

The San Antonio, Texas-based company issues its throughput plans in a range for sectors for its refineries, including in its throughput totals not just crude oil but other feedstocks used in making refined products.

Bhullar said Valero's U.S. Gulf Coast refineries will operate between 1.77 million bpd and 1.82 million bpd, or 95% to 98% of their total combined throughput.

Its U.S. mid-continent refineries will run between 445,000 bpd and 465,000 bpd, or 92% to 96% of their combined capacity.

Valero's two California refineries are planned to run between 245,000 bpd and 265,000 bpd in the fourth quarter, or 80% to 87% of their combined capacity.

The refineries in Canada and Wales supplying the North Atlantic market plan to operate at 470,000 bpd and 490,000 bpd of combined throughput or 93% to 97%.

(Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Marguerita Choy)