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
22 July 2025
Next year’s WPC Energy Congress taking place in April in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will continue to promote the role of women in the energy sector, with a number of events focusing on the issue.
22 July 2025
Pedro Miras is the serving President of WPC Energy for the current cycle which will culminate with the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in April 2026. He has over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, including stints with Repsol and the IEA. Here he talks to Petroleum Economist about the challenges and opportunities the global energy sector currently faces.
17 July 2025
US downstream sector in key state feels the pain of high costs, an environmental squeeze and the effects of broader market trends
16 July 2025
Crude quality issues are an often understated risk to energy security, highlighted by problems at a key US refinery