London, August 30 - Neftegaz.RU. Germany, Italy and Spain are the major contributors in the European crude oil refining industry, as the 3 countries together account for more than 35% of the active refining capacity among all the countries in the region, according to GlobalData.
The company’s report Refining Industry Outlook in Europe to 2022 states that in 2017, Europe accounted for 14.1% of the total global refining capacity. Germany, Italy and Spain are the key countries in Europe, accounting for over 55.1% of the total refining capacity in the region.
In Europe, Germany has the highest active refining capacity of 2,136 thousand barrels per day (mbd) in 2017. The Rheinland refinery has the highest active refining capacity of 325 mbd. Shell Exploration und Produktion Deutschland GmbH is the operator of the refinery. Karlsruhe and Gelsenkirchen follow with refining capacities of 310 mbd and 265 mbd, respectively.
Soorya Tejomoortula, Oil & Gas Analyst at GlobalData, explains: «Germany’s refining industry currently is at cross roads due to increasing competition from Russian and Asian refiners and stiffening environmental regulations.»
GlobalData identifies Italy as the 2nd highest country in Europe with active refinery capacity of 1,653 mbd in 2017. Melili refinery, a cracking type refinery operated by Lukoil, has the highest active refining capacity in the country with 320 mbd. Sarroch and Sannazzaro de Burgondi follow with capacities of 300 mbd and 200 mbd, respectively.
Spain is the region’s 3rd highest country in terms of active refinery capacity. The country has a total active refinery capacity of 1,542 mbd from 10 refineries in 2017. Gibraltar-San Roque, operated by Espanola de Petroleos SAU, has the highest active capacity of 241 mbd. Cartagena and Bilbao refineries follow with 220 mbd each.
