Caltex sees fuel demand slump

Refiner and fuel retailer Caltex Australia is seeing a slump in fuel demand amid widespread social restrictions and business closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company says retail fuel volumes were down 16 per cent between January and April 2020 compared with a year earlier, with petrol demand the worst hit compared with diesel and premium fuels.

Caltex also expects Australian demand for jet fuel to slide 80 per cent to 90 per cent during the period that travel restrictions remain in place.

The fuel retailer had flagged in early April that jet fuel demand had slipped by 5 per cent to 10 per cent as the coronavirus outbreak tightened its grip on the aviation industry.

Things have worsened considerably after Australia banned foreign travel, resulting in Qantas cancelling most of its local and international flights until June-end and Virgin Australia going into voluntary administration.

Globally, fuel demand has slumped due to the economic hibernation and reduced domestic and international travel, with benchmark Brent crude oil prices hitting a 21-year low in April.

Caltex says it is cutting costs and capital expenditure to tackle the crisis.

The company has extended a turnaround and inspection at its Lytton refinery in Brisbane, where it will also reduce workforce hours and lower contractor activity.

There will be a temporary reduction in weekly hours at the convenience retail business by 15-20 per cent, utilisation of leave, and a 20 per cent reduction in board and executive remuneration and a 10 per cent reduction for senior leaders for three months.

As a result, it will save $10 million a month in operating costs and also plans to keep capital expenditure below $250 million in 2020.

Caltex Australia has also revived a plan for a share or trade sale of 49 per cent in its core petrol station network.

Caltex and Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard in April ended talks for a potential $8.8 billion deal for a takeover of the Australian company.