We all know that Saudi is one of the top 5 countries in oil production and industry. Saudi depends on multiple refineries, such as Ras Tanura Refinery to continue the operations with a great and guaranteed success. So let’s discover this facility’s features and abilities.
What is Ras Tanura Refinery ?
Ras Tanura Refinery is known as the first oil refinery in Saudi. In addition to considering it as the largest one in the Middle East, it started as an initiative from Aramco to invade the markets.
The refinery started operation on 1/May/2025, flowing its products intensively year after year, till it controlled the market.
History of Ras Tanura Refinery
The start of Ras Tanura Refinery operations belongs to 1940, including the first productive capacity which was 3000 barrels per day. Later, it was closed because of the lack of equipment and labor. In addition to the second world war.
In 1944, there was a turning point. The refinery building project started to work, till it reached the productive capacity to 127 thousand barrels per day in 1949.
Who Built Ras Tanura Refinery ?
In addition to what we mentioned above, the refinery was constructed under the supervision of Saudi Aramco. In 1944, the company brought in skilled Italian engineers and technicians to support the construction process.
This collaboration played a key role in executing the major project that placed Saudi Arabia on the global map of oil production and refining. In addition to creating exciting Investment Opportunities in Oil Refineries.
When Ras Tanura Started its Operations?
The refinery commenced its trial operations in 1940 with a modest capacity of merely 3,000 barrels per day, though these early efforts were soon interrupted by global events.
Later, the full scale operations resumed in1941, then by 1945 the newly established refinery was producing 58,000 barrels per day.
Its capacity continued to grow, reaching 127,000 barrels per day by 1949, marking a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a key player in the global oil industry.
Also read about the Digital Economy in Saudi Arabia.
Ras Tanura Refinery’s Facilities and Equipment
It’s worthy to mention that the refinery is fully equipped by the most developed equipments, also it contains multiple facilities and elements, such as:
- Houses large scale equipment for refining and separation.
- Training and technical facilities designed to enhance workforce and products.
In addition to multiple prominent facilities, for example:
The Sample laboratory at Ras Tanura
One of the main tasks of this refinery is developing the operational techniques and enhancing the human resources skills. The sample laboratory embodies one of the largest laboratories in the world, with certain purposes like:
- Develop the productivity of the Saudi youth.
- Testing samples and ensuring the quality of petroleum products.
Building on this idea, the laboratory was established in 1940, as one of the oldest laboratories and most diverse in the sample. Furthermore, it’s divided into four main units like the physical, water, and gas analyses, as well as a technical support unit.
On the other hand, it comprises the following too:
- About 589 automated analysis devices.
- 132 statistical charts to monitor performance.
Simulation and maintenance Training Center
It was established in 2015 to simulate the maintenance operations inside the laboratories and train the workers and technicians safely. It also aims to:
- Improve the engineers, technicians and workers skills.
- Transferring the knowledge across the company’s generations.
This center offers the opportunity to enhance the employees skills in eight main majors. These include control engineering, machinery, electrical engineering, digital devices and control systems, as well as field operators.
Ras Tanura Refinery Production Capacity
As the largest oil refinery all over the Middle East. It contains a production capacity that reaches the following:
- 550 thousand barrels per day.
- About 200 thousand diesel barrels per day.
- 180 thousand barrels of gasoline per day.
- 25 thousand barrels of plane fuel per day.
- 25 thousand barrels of natural gas liquid per day.
For deeper research, it covers 40% of the Kingdom’s needs. Making it a strategic and vital refinery that manages over 2000 shipping ships annually.
The Strategic and Important Role of the Refienery
In reality, this refinery contributes in most of the refining operations in Saudi and the world. In addition to the connection with the largest exporting crude oil in the world.
On the other hand, it also provides a variety of refining services through complex units. These include distillation, cracking, chemical refining, asphalt production and a viscosity reduction units.
The Recent Developments of Ras Tanura Refinery
Since it was established, the refinery resumed the development of production and efficiency. In 1999, a development project was assisted to enhance its production.
Building on the above, other projects were established to develop fuel quality, for example, the Clean Fuel Project that included renewing conventional units and installing maintenance units to upgrade the production capacity to reach 90,000 barrels per day.
In addition to another huge project established by Aramco, with a 2.6 billion cost to improve the Ecosystem in the refinery.
FAQ
Here are the frequently asked questions of this refinery:
When was Ras Tanura refinery built?
First time this refinery was built in 1940, but it began its consistent operation in 1945.
Who owns Ras Tanura refinery?
Saudi Aramco owns this refinery and supervises it.
Finally, Ras Tanura Refinery is just a part of the oil investment empire that put Saudi on the economic map. You can check all the refineries and investment elements in Bayut Blog to discover greatness and creativity with these projects.
