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
18 February 2026
With Texas LNG approaching financial close, Alaska LNG advancing towards a phased buildout and Magnolia LNG positioned for future optionality, Glenfarne CEO Brendan Duval says the coming year will demonstrate how the company’s more focused, owner-operator approach is reshaping LNG infrastructure development in the North America
18 February 2026
The global gas industry is no longer on the backfoot, hesitantly justifying the value of its product, but has greater confidence in gas remaining a core part of the global energy mix for decades
18 February 2026
With marketable supply unlikely to grow significantly and limited scope for pipeline imports, Brazil is expected to continue relying on LNG to cover supply shortfalls, Ieda Gomes, senior adviser of Brazilian thinktank FGV Energia,
tells Petroleum Economist
17 February 2026
The 25th WPC Energy Congress, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 26–30 April 2026, will bring together leaders from the political, industrial, financial and technology sectors under the unifying theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All”






