Does Saudi Arabia Have Oil Refineries on Its Own Soil?

For many years, opinions have varied regarding the extent of Saudi Arabia's oil refining capabilities. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the oil refining sector in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the presence and importance of various refineries within its territory.

Overview of Saudi Arabia’s Oil Refineries

When visiting Saudi Arabia 25 years ago, it was known that two main refining facilities existed. However, the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) prioritized investing in refineries closer to their markets, initially focusing on domestic use only. Today, the situation has changed significantly, with over a dozen large-scale oil refineries scattered throughout the country.

Major Oil Refineries in Saudi Arabia

Here is a detailed list of the major oil refineries in Saudi Arabia:

Yanbu Refinery Riyadh Refinery Ras Tanura Refinery SASREF Shell Oil Refinery Jizan Refinery Bulk LUBREF Refinery Jeddah Refinery SINOPEC Refinery Abha Refinery Sulayyil Refinery Safaniyyah Refinery Mobil Oil Refinery Tanajib Refinery Turaif Refinery 3in Dar W-GOSP I Refinery Abqiq Refineries Bulk Processing 3in Dar -GOSP 6 Refinery North Jeddah Refinery Rabigh Refinery Abqiq WIP South Refinery Haradh GOSP 1 and 2 Refineries Manifa Refinery Manifa Processing Refinery Qassim Refinery APSCO Refinery RRD OME Refinery Shaybah GOSP Refinery Petroleum Products Refinery PPC Refaj Al Medina Refinery Uthamaniyah GOSP 12 Refinery Tagat As Sharq Refinery 3in Dar Gas - Oil Separation Processing Bulk Plant YASREF Shell Oil Refinery Uthmaniyah GOSP 7 Refinery Al Hasa Bulk Refinery Harmaliyah GOSP 1 Refinery Abqiq GOSP 5 Refinery Duba Refinery Bulk Processing Hawtah GOSP Refinery Al Hamrani FUCHS Refinery SATORP Refinery 3in Dar GOSP 2 Refinery Rafid Oil Refinery ARAMCO IGCC East Refinery Masafy Al Taga Refinery Seed Bulk Processing Refinery SARCO Refineries ARAMCO Malaysian Refinery Abqiq 6 Refinery Shaybah GOSP2 Refinery

As shown, the list of oil refineries varies from small-scale facilities to large-scale industrial cities. These industrial cities are not just basic refineries but also facilities involved in complex petrochemical processes. For instance, Madinat Al Jubail and Al Sinaiyah are notable industrial cities that convert raw petroleum into a variety of valuable products.

Capacity and Market Position

The state-owned company, Saudi Aramco, plays a crucial role in refining the oil extracted from its vast reserves. The company's refining capacity is 5.4 million barrels per day, which is unmatched by any other single entity globally.

Impact of Industrial Cities

The presence of these industrial cities has had a significant impact on the oil refining process in Saudi Arabia. An investment of over $30 billion in the 1980s laid the groundwork for the transformation of wellhead gas into end products like shampoo bottles. Today, these cities are at the forefront of this complex process, integrating multiple refining and petrochemical operations.

Global Impact of Saudi Arabian Oil Refineries

The products of these refineries are not just consumed within Saudi Arabia. In fact, some of the diesel fuel sold in the UK is imported from refineries in Russia or Saudi Arabia. Depending on geopolitical factors and technical considerations, the preference for diesel from either country may vary. However, without the ability to determine the source, they are equally valued for their quality.