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