The firm forecasts revenues of Bt86 billion this year, close to last year's figure. However, it predicts that its net profit for the entire year will be lower than last year's, due to an inventory loss.

BCP expects its marketing margin of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) this month and next to increase from Bt219 million in September.

The firm posted a Bt58-million loss in its marketing margin but rebounded to a Bt36-million second-quarter net profit.

In the first nine months of the year, petrol consumption dropped 2.1 per cent and diesel consumption 5 per cent.

BCP's EBITDA for last year amounted to Bt4.56 billion. Its net profit last year was up 11 per cent to Bt2.93 billion, thanks to the spread between its inventory and the retail oil price.

BCP will open two more stations serving natural gas for vehicles this year. It has three such stations and will add 26 more next year.

The firm will increase its biodiesel stations from its present 154 to 320 next year.

BCP closed 25 petrol stations this year and will close five more next year, all of them ones that could not generate a profit. Senior vice president Manoon Siriwan said BCP saved Bt9.6 million after shutting them down.

Anoma Srisukkasem

The Nation