European refinery crude intake rose in September by 7.6 per cent from a year earlier, data from industry monitor Euroilstock showed, due to strong demand for gasoline as well as relatively light seasonal maintenance.

Crude processing in September also rose, by 0.8 percent from a month earlier, the data from 15 EU members plus Norway showed.

Europe’s refinery capacity which shut down for maintenance this autumn is estimated at between 45 and 75 percent lower than the five-year average, according to data.

Refineries have been operating at high levels in 2015 due to a rarely seen strong run of profit margins, driven by a sharp rise in demand around the world following the collapse in oil prices.