ISLAMABAD: The sale of High Octane Blending Component (HOBC) in Pakistan reached an all-time high of around 33,000 metric tons in February 2025, driven by discounts offered by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), which encouraged commuters to opt for premium fuel over Motor Spirit (MS) petrol.
According to data from the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), HOBC sales were approximately 15,000 metric tons in September 2024 and have been steadily rising each month, culminating in the record-breaking figure in February 2025.
“February 2025 marked the highest-ever monthly HOBC sales, as OMCs introduced significant price discounts, narrowing the price gap between MS and HOBC,” said OCM analyst Zayan Babar Khan in a report on monthly oil sales.
On the day of the report, the state-owned oil marketing company sold HOBC (Euro5 Octane+) at Rs260.35 per litre compared to MS petrol (Euro5 Premier) at Rs255.63 per litre, leaving a price difference of less than Rs5 per litre — significantly lower than the Rs18 per litre gap observed in February 2024.
HOBC, commonly used in luxury and imported vehicles, enhances engine performance and provides better mileage compared to regular petrol. Unlike petrol and diesel, which are regulated by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), HOBC prices are set by OMCs and vary across petrol stations within the same city.
Oil sales slump 18%
Despite the rise in HOBC sales, overall petroleum product consumption dropped by 18% month-on-month in February 2025, falling to 1.14 million tons from 1.38 million tons in January 2025, due to increased fuel prices.
