Korea’s consumption of petroleum products soared to its highest ever last year despite record-breaking oil prices.

Last year’s average price of Dubai oil, which accounts for 80 percent of Korea’s crude oil imports, jumped 35.6 percent from a year before to $105.98 per barrel, breaking the previous record of $94.29 in 2008, according to the Korea National Oil Corporation.

Prices of the North Sea Brent oil ($111.08 per barrel), Omani crude oil ($106.73 per barrel), Iranian heavy crude oil ($105.71 per barrel) and Malaysian Tapis oil ($117.28 per barrel) also rose to their highest last year.

Consumption of petroleum products such as naphtha, jet fuel and gasoline gained 8.84 percent from a year ago to 801.3 million barrels, surpassing the previous record of 794.95 million barrels in 2007.

“The national consumption of petroleum products hit a record high last year because Korean industries fared well in spite of the economic uncertainties raised by the eurozone debt crisis,” a KNOC official said.

Domestic sales of naphtha, a distillation product from petroleum boiled between 200 and 300 degrees Celsius, surged 7.05 percent to a record 355.2 million barrels last year.

Consumption of gasoline also increased 0.93 percent to 69.57 million barrels, the greatest since 71.36 million barrels in 1997.

Thanks to growing travel, sales of jet fuel also climbed 0.9 percent to 28.45 million barrels last year.

Consumption of light oil and Bunker C oil, on the other hand, fell 0.51 percent to 133.96 million barrels and 17 percent to 51.38 million barrels, respectively, last year.

Domestic sales of kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas also dropped from 2010.

Crude oil prices are expected to rise further as countries join a U.S.-led oil embargo on Iran or reduce oil imports from the world’s fifth largest oil exporter in a bid to make it give up its nuclear ambitions.

By Kim So-hyun (sophie@heraldcorp.com)