Hydrocarbon Processing Refining Databook 2025: Introduction
Greater social mobility means increased global demand for refined fuels and petrochemical products, with Asia leading the way in the expansion of refining capacity
Global crude distillation capacity stands at more 103m b/d (see Fig.1), of which 36% is accounted for by Asia-Pacific. The region has significantly increased refining capacity over the past 20 years, having boosted installed capacity by approximately 15.8m b/d, to nearly 37.5m b/d, according to the Energy Institute. Asia is followed by North America (21.9m b/d), Europe (14.9m b/d) and the Middle East (11.6m b/d) in terms of capacity. Asia is also the leader in total secondary unit capacity (upgrading, octane, desulphurisation). Active projects At the time of publication, Gulf Energy Information’s Global Energy Infrastructure database w
Also in this section
16 January 2026
The country’s global energy importance and domestic political fate are interlocked, highlighting its outsized oil and gas powers, and the heightened fallout risk
16 January 2026
The global maritime oil transport sector enters 2026 facing a rare convergence of crude oversupply, record newbuild deliveries and the potential easing of several geopolitical disruptions that have shaped trade flows since 2022
15 January 2026
Rebuilding industry, energy dominance and lower energy costs are key goals that remain at odds in 2026
14 January 2026
Chavez’s socialist reforms boosted state control but pushed knowledge and capital out of the sector, opening the way for the US shale revolution
