Petron saw its sales volumes consistently increasing amid recovering demand and waning pandemic concerns with its first semester sales showing double-digit growth from last year.

The company’s Philippine and Malaysian operations, including its trading subsidiary in Singapore, sold a total of 51.4 million barrels during the first half of the year, up 34 percent from 2021’s 38.5 million barrels. Sales volume improved across all trades with Petron’s commercial sales posting the highest increase as more industries, including aviation travel, rebounded from the pandemic’s impact.

The Group’s total retail business managed an uptick of nearly 30 percent fueled by the strong sales of its premium gasoline and diesel fuels. The sale of lubricant products, Jet-A1, LPG, and petrochemicals likewise showed strong growth compared to the previous year.

Consolidated revenues came in at P 398.52 billion, surpassing last year’s P 174.13 billion, driven by the sustained increase in sales volume and prices. Dubai crude averaged US$ 102 per barrel from January to June as supply concerns persisted due to geopolitical conflicts.

As prices of finished products further surged in the second quarter, refining cracks also strengthened. Petron benefited from the strong regional refining margins with higher production at the refinery. These gains were partly offset by lower marketing margins as a result of escalating price competition in the market. In addition, the company incurred higher financing costs due to increased working capital requirements.

“Our post-pandemic transition has so far been marked by steady growth, particularly in segments where we suffered major setbacks earlier during this crisis. We move forward with hope and optimism as we roll out projects that will not only yield optimal returns for the company but more importantly, lead towards greater sustainability and create economic opportunities for more sectors,” said Petron President and CEO Ramon S. Ang.

Petron intensified its water conservation efforts through different programs and mechanisms already in place in the company. Some 23 Petron terminals comprised the top 48 facilities in San Miguel Corporation’s Water for All Project, a group-wide undertaking, which aims to cut SMC’s water use by 50 percent by 2025. From 2016 to 2021, Petron’s total accumulated water savings reached 15.29 million cubic meters.

Since 2000, Petron employees and its fenceline communities have planted over one million trees and mangroves. In addition, Petron also adopted over thirty hectares of mangrove areas in the Visayas. For 2022, the company is looking to expand its adopted reforestation sites in Bawing, General Santos City, and in Tagoloan, Cagayan de Oro as part of its sustained ESG initiatives.

Furthering its nation-building efforts, Petron turned over last June a full-scale car repair facility to TESDA to help address the country’s need for more skilled personnel. The TESDA-Petron Car Care Center (CCC) at the TESDA Compound in Taguig is patterned after the Petron Car Care Center (CCC), the company’s automotive care brand.