The 6 Biggest Refineries in the World
The refineries industry makes up a crucial part of the global economy, helping meet the oil and petrochemical requirements of the world. As a result, more and more companies are beginning to explore this industry to tap into its potential and make a big impact on global trade, economy, and national growth.
But some pillars have continuously made significant contributions in the industry, with refineries that boast cutting-edge technologies and engineering to yield efficient and productive operations. Who are these? Here’s a list of the six biggest refineries in the world.
Jamnagar Refinery, India
The Jamnagar Refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India, is the largest globally and was recognized as the largest petrochemical and refinery complex when the refinery was completed in 2000. It was commissioned in 1999, built by Bechtel, and operated by Reliance Industries Limited. In the year 2008, the project further expanded the complex to double its initial capacity.
The project to build the Jamnagar Refinery was made up of 70,000 employees, along with 2,800 professionals virtually involved worldwide. It took 200,000 suppliers, engineering documents, 1.5 million cubic meters of concrete, 4 million meters of piping, and 4,400 equipment to complete construction.
The Jamnagar Refinery has a capacity of 1.24 million barrels of oil per day and has an entire complex for a petroleum refinery, petrochemicals, captive port, power plants, and related infrastructure. Due to its operational capacity, the refinery employs over 2,500 employees in a small 7,500-acre town.
Ulsan Refinery, South Korea
The Ulsan Refinery in Ulasan, South Korea, owned by SK Energy, is next in line in the list of the largest refineries in the world. Its location is the seventh-largest metropolitan city and is a primary powerhouse and hub for the whole of South Korea. The refinery produces a capacity of 1.12 million oil barrels daily and yields gasoline, diesel, asphalt, liquified petroleum gas, and jet fuel.
The Ulsan Refinery also has the largest automobile assembly plant globally and houses the world’s largest shipyard, both operated by a renowned automobile company, Hyundai.
Paraguaná Refinery Complex, Venezuela
The Paraguaná Refinery Complex in Venezuela is the third-largest oil refinery in the world. It is operated by Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), who created the entire complex by combining three existing oil refineries in the country, namely:
Amuay Refinery - owned by Creole Petroleum and established in 1950
Bajo Grande Refinery - owned by Chevron and established in 1956
Cardón Refinery - owned by Shell and established in 1949
These three refineries together now make up the Paraguaná Refinery Complex, which produces 971 thousand oil barrels daily and contributes 71% of the total refining capacity of Venezuela.
Yeosu Refinery, South Korea
Another refinery hailing from South Korea makes it to the world’s largest refineries. The Yeosu Refinery is operated by GS Caltex, a joint venture between GS Group and Chevron. The former supplies ⅓ of South Korea’s oil and exports 50% of its products to other economies.
The Yeosu Refinery has a total daily capacity of 730,000 barrels of oil. This large ability is owing to GS Caltex’s 1.5 billion USD investment to purchase the world’s largest vacuum distillation unit, base oil plant, and hydrocracker to improve operations.
Onsan Refinery, South Korea
The Onsan Refinery, once again in South Korea, is the fifth-largest refinery in the world. It is owned by S-Oil, who started in the crude oil distillation business in 1980. Several expansions have led to the Onsan Refinery we know today, a key refinery for hard oil production in Asia-Pacific.
Exporting to Asia, Europe, Oceania, and America, the Onsan Refinery has 669,000 oil barrels per day.
Singapore Refinery, Singapore
The Singapore Refinery finds its home in the Jurong Island of Singapore. It is owned by ExxonMobile and is the company’s largest refinery to date. ExxonMobile is a joint corporation that was previously known as Mobil and Esso separately. The two companies also owned a refinery site in Singapore and combined in 1999 to create a single complex.
Currently, the Singapore Refinery has a processing capacity of 605 thousand oil barrels per day. But an expansion is underway and is expected to be completed in 2023. This expansion is expected to increase the production capacity of the refinery.
The six refineries above are the key players in the industry, boasting of complexes that house advanced engineering, technologies, and operations to impact the oil industry in their respective countries and beyond.