In the first quarter of 2019 LUKOIL Group's average hydrocarbon production excluding the West Qurna-2 project was 2,379 thousand boe per day, which is 4.1% higher year-on-year and 0.3% higher quarter-on-quarter. The increase was mainly driven by the development of gas projects in Uzbekistan.
Oil production excluding the West Qurna-2 project in the first quarter of 2019 was 21.2 million tonnes, which is 1.5% higher year-on-year and 0.5% lower quarter-on-quarter in average daily terms. LUKOIL Group's oil production volumes and dynamics are mainly defined by the external limitations of Russian companies' production volumes.
In the first quarter of 2019, LUKOIL Group's gas production was 9.0 billion cubic meters, which is 12% higher year-on-year. The main driver of gas production growth was the development of projects in Uzbekistan. As a result of the launch of the second stage of the Kandym gas processing plant, production in Uzbekistan in the first quarter of 2019 increased to 3.8 billion cubic meters (LUKOIL's share) which is 33% higher year-on-year.
In the first quarter of 2019 refinery throughput at LUKOIL Group's refineries was 16.7 million tonnes, which in average daily terms is 0.2% higher quarter-on-quarter and 3.4% higher year-on-year.
Refinery throughput in Russia increased to 11.0 million tonnes, which in average daily terms is 2.6% higher quarter-on-quarter and 2.9% higher year-on-year. The increase was due to higher utilization rate of the Nizhny Novgorod refinery.
Lower quarter-on-quarter refinery throughput in Europe was driven by feedstock supply disruptions through the port of Novorossiysk due to weather conditions. Higher year-on-year refinery throughput in Europe was driven by the maintenance works at the refineries in Bulgaria and Italy in the first quarter of 2018.
PJSC “LUKOIL” is one of the largest publicly traded, vertically integrated oil and gas companies in the world in terms of proved hydrocarbon reserves and production; and the second largest producer of crude oil in Russia. Established in 1991, the Company currently operates in more than 30 countries with core upstream assets located in Russia. The full production cycle includes oil and gas exploration, production and refining; production of petrochemicals and lubricants; power generation; marketing and distribution. The Company’s shares are listed in Russia on Moscow Exchange under the ticker “LKOH” and depositary receipts are listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker “LKOD”.