The top 10 refineries by capacity process a combined crude throughput exceeding 7.5 million barrels per day — roughly 7% of global refining output concentrated in ten facilities. Global crude distillation capacity reached approximately 101 million bpd in 2025 across around 700 operating refineries worldwide, with the largest complexes clustered in South Korea, India, the Middle East, and the US Gulf Coast. In 2026, the ranking reflects a structural shift: Asian refineries continue to expand while European and American capacity faces rationalisation pressure from declining transportation fuel demand.
How We Ranked the Top 10 Refineries by Capacity
Rankings are based on crude distillation unit (CDU) capacity in barrels per day — the standard primary measure of refinery scale published by the US Energy Information Administration and international industry bodies. Where a single operator runs multiple refineries on one contiguous site, combined site capacity is used. Venezuela’s Paraguana complex is ranked on nameplate capacity with a caveat on actual 2026 throughput. Complexity, measured by the Nelson Complexity Index (NCI), is noted where relevant but does not affect ranking order.
1. Jamnagar Refinery Complex — India
Operated by Reliance Industries, the Jamnagar complex in Gujarat is the world’s largest refining site by combined capacity. Two refineries occupy the same location: the Jamnagar DTA refinery at approximately 660,000 bpd and the Jamnagar SEZ refinery at approximately 580,000 bpd, giving a combined throughput of around 1.24 million bpd. The Nelson Complexity Index sits at approximately 21 — among the highest of any facility globally — enabling Reliance to process a wide range of crude grades and maximise high-value petrochemical and transportation fuel output. The complex is fully integrated with Reliance’s downstream petrochemical and retail operations.
2. SK Energy Ulsan Refinery — South Korea
Operated by SK Energy, a subsidiary of SK Innovation, the Ulsan refinery processes approximately 840,000 bpd — South Korea’s largest refinery and one of Asia’s largest single-site facilities. A high Nelson Complexity Index allows SK Energy to produce high-value petrochemical feedstocks alongside transportation fuels. The refinery is a major exporter to regional Asian markets, processing Middle East crude for distribution across Northeast Asia.
3. GS Caltex Yeosu Refinery — South Korea
The Yeosu refinery, operated by GS Caltex — a joint venture between GS Energy and Chevron — processes approximately 800,000 bpd. South Korea’s second-largest refinery, it is integrated with a petrochemical complex producing aromatics, olefins, and synthetic resins alongside transportation fuels. Yeosu is a key supplier to Northeast Asian aviation and marine fuel markets, with the port location enabling efficient export logistics.
4. Paraguana Refinery Complex — Venezuela
Operated by PDVSA, the Paraguana complex in Falcón State comprises two refineries: Amuay (645,000 bpd nameplate) and Cardón (310,000 bpd nameplate), giving a combined nameplate capacity of approximately 955,000 bpd — the largest nameplate capacity of any single refining complex in the world. However, actual 2026 throughput is significantly below nameplate due to chronic underinvestment, equipment deterioration, and the continued impact of US sanctions on crude supply and spare parts availability. Paraguana is ranked here on nameplate; actual output should be treated as materially lower.
5. Ruwais Refinery — UAE
Operated by ADNOC Refining, the Ruwais complex in Abu Dhabi processes approximately 922,000 bpd across the Ruwais East and Ruwais West facilities. One of the largest integrated refining and petrochemical complexes in the world, Ruwais is integrated with the Borouge petrochemical joint venture. ADNOC is targeting 1.5 million bpd of total refining capacity by 2031 through a phased Ruwais expansion, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a downstream export hub for Asian markets.
6. Port Arthur Refinery — USA
The Port Arthur refinery in Texas, operated by Motiva Enterprises — wholly owned by Saudi Aramco following Shell’s exit from the joint venture in 2017 — is the largest single-site refinery in the United States at approximately 630,000 bpd. The facility processes primarily Saudi crude grades delivered via dedicated import infrastructure. It is integrated with petrochemical operations and sits within the broader Gulf Coast refining corridor that accounts for the majority of US refinery capacity. Phillips 66 operates nearby refinery assets across the same Gulf Coast corridor.
7. Ras Tanura Refinery — Saudi Arabia
Operated by Saudi Aramco, the Ras Tanura refinery in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province processes approximately 550,000 bpd. The refinery is adjacent to Ras Tanura export terminal — the world’s largest offshore oil loading facility — giving the complex unmatched integration between refining output and crude export infrastructure. Products include transportation fuels, fuel oil, and petrochemical feedstocks, with the majority destined for Asian markets.
8. Hyundai Oilbank Ulsan Refinery — South Korea
Operated by Hyundai Oilbank, an HD Hyundai subsidiary, the Ulsan refinery processes approximately 650,000 bpd. South Korea’s third major refinery operator in Ulsan makes the city the most concentrated single-location refining hub in Northeast Asia. The facility produces transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks, and bunker fuel for Asian shipping markets, with capacity to process a range of Middle East and domestic crude grades.
9. Singapore Refining Complex — Singapore
Jurong Island hosts a network of integrated refining and petrochemical facilities with combined capacity of approximately 592,000 bpd, operated across facilities including ExxonMobil’s Singapore refinery and Singapore Refining Company (a joint venture of Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Singapore Petroleum Company). The complex processes Middle East and West African crude for Asian product markets. Jurong Island’s broader role as Asia’s tank terminal and LNG hub gives Singapore’s refining sector unmatched storage and export infrastructure.
10. Abadan Refinery — Iran
Operated by the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC), the Abadan refinery in Khuzestan Province processes approximately 400,000 bpd following post-war reconstruction and expansion. One of the oldest operating refineries in the world — first crude was processed at Abadan in 1912 — the facility produces transportation fuels and fuel oil for Iranian domestic consumption. Export capability remains constrained by US and international sanctions, limiting Abadan’s role to domestic supply despite its historical significance as a global refining centre.
Top 10 Refineries by Capacity: 2026 Outlook
The top 10 refineries by capacity in 2026 reflect a refining industry in structural transition. Asian refinery expansions — led by ADNOC’s Ruwais programme and Saudi Aramco’s downstream integration push — are adding capacity precisely as European and US facilities face closure pressure from declining gasoline demand. The Dangote refinery in Nigeria, now operational at 650,000 bpd, represents the most significant new refinery project in decades and would feature prominently in any expanded ranking. In the medium term, the largest refineries are pivoting toward petrochemical feedstock production and co-processing of biofuels and hydrogen feedstocks to sustain margins as transportation fuel volumes plateau. The facilities ranked here will remain dominant in global refining for the foreseeable future — their scale creates barriers to exit as well as barriers to entry. For a broader view of how the downstream market is navigating 2026’s demand dynamics, the full market analysis sets out the key structural pressures in detail.
What is the world’s largest refinery by capacity?
The Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Gujarat, India, operated by Reliance Industries, is the world’s largest refinery by capacity. Two refineries on the same site — Jamnagar DTA and Jamnagar SEZ — combine for approximately 1.24 million barrels per day of crude distillation capacity, with a Nelson Complexity Index of around 21.
How is refinery capacity measured?
Refinery capacity is measured in barrels per day (bpd) of crude distillation unit (CDU) throughput — the volume of crude oil a refinery can process through its primary distillation equipment. Secondary measures include the Nelson Complexity Index (NCI), which reflects a refinery’s ability to process heavier crudes and produce higher-value products. CDU capacity is the standard benchmark used by the EIA and international energy bodies.
Which country has the most refining capacity in the world?
The United States leads global refinery capacity with approximately 18 million barrels per day across its refining network, followed by China and Russia. However, India hosts the single largest refinery complex — the Jamnagar site operated by Reliance Industries. South Korea punches well above its size, with three refineries in the global top 10 by single-operator site capacity.
Are new refineries being built in 2026?
The Dangote Refinery in Nigeria entered operations in 2024 at 650,000 bpd — the largest single-train refinery ever built — and remains the most significant new refinery project of the decade. ADNOC is expanding the Ruwais complex toward 1.5 million bpd by 2031. New capacity additions are concentrated in the Middle East and Africa; Western Europe and the US are seeing net capacity reductions through refinery closures and conversions.
How does the energy transition affect the world’s largest refineries?
EV adoption is reducing gasoline and diesel demand in Western markets, compressing refining margins and accelerating closures of smaller, less complex facilities. The largest refineries are better positioned to adapt — high complexity allows them to pivot toward petrochemical feedstock production, biofuel co-processing, and hydrogen from refinery off-gas. Asian demand growth is absorbing much of the slack through 2030, supporting utilisation rates at the top-ranked facilities in South Korea, India, and the Middle East.