BRIEF-Japan's Idemitsu Official: Currently Cannot Source Middle Eastern Crude From Red Sea Side, Considering Alternatives Including Through Suez Canal

Aug 7 (Reuters) - Idemitsu Kosan Co Ltd 5019.T:

• IDEMITSU OFFICIAL: WE ARE SOURCING CRUDE OIL FROM MIDDLE EAST THAT BYPASSES STRAIT OF HORMUZ, AS WELL AS PRIMARILY FROM NORTH AMERICA

• IDEMITSU OFFICIAL: OUR FUEL EXPORTS WERE LIMITED IN Q1 AS WE PRIORITISED DOMESTIC SUPPLY, BUT WE INTEND TO RESUME EXPORTS FROM Q2

• IDEMITSU OFFICIAL: DISCUSSIONS AMONG SPONSORS OF VIETNAM'S NGHI SON REFINERY ON MEASURES TO REDUCE INTEREST PAYMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO CONCLUDE BY MARCH 2027

• IDEMITSU OFFICIAL: WE ARE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO SOURCE MIDDLE EASTERN CRUDE FROM RED SEA SIDE, AND ARE CONSIDERING ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING PROCUREMENT THROUGH SUEZ CANAL

• IDEMITSU OFFICIAL: WILL CONTINUE TO EXPLORE WAYS TO DIVERSIFY OUR CRUDE OIL PROCUREMENT, INCLUDING INCREASING IMPORTS FROM U.S. AND SOUTH AMERICA

Further company coverage: 5019.T