Refining Report: Asia sees major capacity buildout
The region is the global leader in active refining projects, with most based in India and China
Asian oil consumption has increased by more than 6m b/d over the past decade, to reach nearly 36m b/d. The region’s oil demand is forecast to surge by an additional 5.5m b/d, to reach more than 41m b/d, by 2029, according to the IEA. In turn, the region has been the leader in new refining capacity additions, adding approximately 4m b/d of crude distillation unit capacity over the past ten years. By 2028, Asian refining capacity is forecast to increase by nearly a further 4m b/d. The region has also focused on increasing secondary unit capacity. This includes expanding and upgrading as well as building grassroots units to produce cleaner-burning fuels. Many Asian countries have enacted low-su
Also in this section
9 April 2026
The April 2026 issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!
9 April 2026
Offshore operators are working through an FID backlog as the rig market consolidates, helped by improving project economics and a renewed security drive
2 April 2026
Alongside a rapid continued build-out of renewables, China’s latest five-year plan stresses the value of domestic hydrocarbon production for energy security and calls for increased Russian gas imports
2 April 2026
The government is taking important steps to revive domestic production, lift investment and benefit from the geopolitical crisis even if more needs to be done in the longer term






