TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Formosa Petrochemical Corp., Taiwan's only publicly traded oil refiner, plans to shut a hydrotreater next week because of a mechanical fault。

The closure of the facility, able to process about 50,000 barrels of fuel a day, may last up to 10 days, company spokesman Lin Keh-yen said by phone in Taipei yesterday. The plant produces low-sulfur diesel, jet fuel and kerosene, he said. Mailiao-based Formosa Petrochemical will cut shipments next month because of the planned stoppage, Lin said. The refiner can process 540,000 barrels of crude a day.

"Our shipments in July may be cut a little, perhaps two or three cargos," Lin said. June shipments won't be affected as the refiner taps into stockpiles, he said.

Source：Chemspy