Global oil refining remains central to the world’s energy supply, with a few large-scale facilities processing vast volumes of crude oil daily. Below is a numbered list of the 11 largest oil refineries in the world, based on capacity, ownership, and operational scale.
1. Dangote Refinery, Nigeria
Owned by Dangote Industries Limited, the Lagos-based refinery was commissioned in 2023. It currently processes 650,000 barrels per day and is undergoing expansion to reach 1.4 million barrels per day, a move expected to boost Nigeria’s position in global refining and cut fuel imports across Africa.
2. Jamnagar Refinery, India
Located in Gujarat and owned by Reliance Industries Limited, the refinery began operations in 1999 and expanded in 2008. It has a total capacity of 1.24 million barrels per day, making it the largest refinery complex in the world.
3. Ruwais Refinery, United Arab Emirates
Operated by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, the Ruwais Refinery was built in 1982 and upgraded in 2015. It now processes about 827,000 barrels per day and plays a key role in the UAE’s downstream oil strategy.
4. Onsan Refinery, South Korea
The Onsan Refinery, operated by S-Oil Corporation, has been operational since 1979. It has a processing capacity of about 669,000 barrels per day and is known for producing cleaner fuels that meet international environmental standards.
5. Yeosu Refinery, South Korea
Owned by GS Caltex, the Yeosu Refinery was established in 1969. It has a capacity of 840,000 barrels per day, with a major expansion completed in 2021 that improved efficiency and environmental performance.
6. Ulsan Refinery, South Korea
Operated by SK Energy, the Ulsan Refinery was commissioned in 1964. It is South Korea’s largest refinery, with a capacity of about 850,000 barrels per day, supplying fuels and petrochemical products across Asia.
7. Paraguaná Refining Complex, Venezuela
Developed in the 1950s, the complex combines the Amuay, Cardón, and Bajo Grande refineries. It has a combined capacity of about 940,000 barrels per day and remains a major pillar of Venezuela’s oil industry.
8. Ras Tanura Refinery, Saudi Arabia
In operation since 1945 and run by Saudi Aramco, the Ras Tanura Refinery has a capacity of about 550,000 barrels per day and is one of the most strategically important oil facilities in the world.
9. Galveston Bay Refinery, United States
Owned by Marathon Petroleum Corporation, the Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas City was built in 1931 and expanded in 2019. It processes around 631,000 barrels per day.
10. Baton Rouge Refinery, United States
The Baton Rouge Refinery in Louisiana, owned by ExxonMobil, was established in 1909 and expanded in 2023. It has a capacity of about 520,000 barrels per day.
11. Port Arthur Refinery, United States
Operated by Motiva Enterprises, the Port Arthur Refinery in Texas dates back to 1903. After major rebuilding in the early 2000s, it now refines around 600,000 barrels per day and serves as a key Gulf Coast energy hub.
