Saudi Aramco will shut the asphalt unit at its 550,000 barrels per day (bpd) Ras Tanura refinery for planned maintenance from December 16, the company said on Wednesday.

The asphalt production unit, which has a capacity of 17,000 bpd, according to Aramco's data, will be down till January 31, the company said in a statement posted on its website.

'The company has made all the necessary arrangements to ensure that customers have enough stock to meet their requirements during the maintenance period,' Aramco said.

The unit's production of asphalt is the biggest among the  refineries in the kingdom, according to Aramco's data.

Industry sources said last week Aramco was expected to shut its 325,000 crude distillation unit at Ras Tanura refinery in mid-December for planned maintenance for 50 days.-Reuters