Hydrocarbon Processing Refining Databook 2025: Middle East & Africa

The Middle East is focusing on modernisation and expansion projects, while Africa is seeking to reduce its imports of refined products

Middle Eastern refining capacity has increased by nearly 3m b/d over the past decade, reaching more than 11.6m b/d, according to the Energy Institute. Most refining investments over the past ten years were made to diversify domestic product portfolios and move away from relying on oil export revenues.   The region continues to invest heavily in refining operations, focusing on additional refining capacity, modernisation and expansion projects and upgrades. The region will add nearly 1.2m b/d of new CDU capacity and 2m b/d of secondary unit capacity by 2030, according to OPEC.  At the time of publication, the GEI database was tracking nearly 70 active refining projects in the region, totallin