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

Also in this section
17 June 2025
Israel’s attack on Iran caught oil firms with low inventories due to their efforts to protect themselves from falling prices, creating a perfect storm
17 June 2025
Sound development planning is essential in this diverse and rapidly evolving region
16 June 2025
The launch of the much-needed yet oft-delayed Africa Energy Bank remains shrouded in questions and funding constraints, but its potential is clear
16 June 2025
BP and partners have reached a $2.9b FID on a new phase at Shah Deniz, but slow progress on other gas projects is attributed to a lack of European support