Refiners should expect the unexpected
Trend spotting is easier said than done in the refining sector
Refiners will need to be nimble to survive in a world of reduced demand for fossil fuels from the transport sector and those plans need to be put in motion now if they are to survive. Mol is a case in point. Around 70% of the company's output from its refineries in Hungary, Croatia and Slovakia, which mainly serve central European markets, is refined products for the transport sector. By 2030, the company plans to increase its non-fuel production, largely targeting the petrochemicals industry, to 50% of total output, compared with the current 30%. "This does not mean we will destroy our capability to produce diesel and gasoline [if margins stay high]," says Ferenc Horvath, head of the compan
Also in this section
19 March 2026
The regional crisis highlights the undervalued role of fixed pipelines in the age of tanker flexibility
18 March 2026
Rising LNG exports and AI-driven power demand have raised concerns that US gas prices could climb sharply, but analysts say abundant shale supply and continued productivity gains should keep Henry Hub within a range that preserves the competitiveness of US LNG
18 March 2026
Risks of shortages in oil products may cause world leaders to panic and make mistakes instead of letting the market do what it does best
17 March 2026
The crisis in the Middle East has put LNG’s ability to offer security and flexibility under uncomfortable scrutiny
