Sinopec to up diesel imports, delay plant repairs

BEIJING, Nov 19 (Reuters) China's top refiner Sinopec plans to import 200,000 tonnes of diesel in December and delay maintenance work at five plants to ensure fuel supplies, a company Web site said on Monday.

Sinopec will also process 14.5 million tonnes of crude in December, 200,000 tonnes more than originally planned, the Web site (www.sinopecnews.com.cn) said, citing a plan agreed by both the listed firm and its state-owned parent.

The company will also cut back on kerosene output in November and December and use the capacity to produce diesel, the report said, as rationing and shortages continue despite a 10 percent price hike at the start of the month.

REUTERS DKS BST0626