BP European refineries run at 90 pct in 2Q

LONDON, July 28 (Reuters) - BP Plc's (BP.L) oil refineries in Europe are running at an average 90 percent of their capacity in the second quarter although weak margins have forced the company to reduce operational rates at its giant Rotterdam plant, a senior BP executive said on Tuesday.

"We have seen slight run cuts at Rotterdam but in general they (refineries) are running well despite challenging circumstances," Ian Conn, BP's global head of refining told a conference.

"We have two things in our favour. Our refineries are upgraded and well located. Utilisation rates have been near 90 percent, compared with industry average of around 81 percent."

Conn did not give an outlook for BP's refinery operational rates for the third and fourth quarter.

BP operates four refineries in Europe, including the continent's second largest refinery in Rotterdam, which can process about 386,000 barrels of crude oil a day. (Reporting by Emma Farge, writing by Ikuko Kurahone)