Global refining capacity is going to keep growing
Fast-growing markets are adding more plants and eking out gains at older ones. What's coming on, where, and when?
Global refinery capacity looks set to expand steadily through the early 2020s, and industry utilisation rates are expected to remain high. Capacity expansion is expected to lag most analyst expectations of world oil demand growth of 1.3m barrels a day per year by about 300,000 b/d per year through the early 2020s. Most new capacity is being developed in the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East regions. New refinery construction is underway as oil markets face significant shifts in product output and demand. Rising US light tight oil (LTO) output suggests increased light distillate production, while an expected increase in middle distillate demand will stem from new IMO regulations mandating the

Also in this section
2 June 2025
More than anything else, weak Chinese gas demand is providing relief to EU consumers, but it is uncertain how long this relief will last
30 May 2025
Energy majors argue transition debate has started to factor in the complexities of demand shifts and the wider role for gas
29 May 2025
Sovereignty is the watchword for the new government, but there are still upstream opportunities for those willing to work closely with the state
29 May 2025
A cautious approach to coal-to-gas switching offers lessons to others who are looking to balance cost with cleaner energy