Hydrocarbon Processing Refining Databook 2025: Asia-Pacific
A burgeoning middle class is boosting demand for refining capacity in Asia, with China leading the way and India also with many projects underway
Over the past 20 years, Asia-Pacific has been the epicentre of new refining capacity construction. Since 2004, the region’s total refining capacity has increased by nearly 15m b/d, to more than 37m b/d, according to the Energy Institute. Most of this surge in new refining capacity is from China which has increased refined product capacity from approximately 5m b/d in 2000 to more than 18m b/d in 2024. Asia’s stark rise in refined fuel consumption has been due to an exponential growth in the region’s economies. This growth has pushed large percentages of the population into higher socioeconomic classes. In turn, demand for various fuels and petrochemical products has surged to build new infra
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally
