Saudi Arabia, known for being a power in oil production, raises its level with the construction of the Ras Tanura refinery, one of the largest and most impressive refineries in the world, located on the west coast of the country. This megastructure, crucial to the Saudi and global economy, represents a significant milestone in the oil sector.

Opened in 1941, the Ras Tanura refinery has its roots in the 1930s, when the global economy began to lean heavily towards the industrial model, with oil becoming a key resource. A construction was an initiative of the Arabia America Orion Company, a partnership between the Saudi government and US companies, which later became exclusively Saudi.

Ras Tanura, located in the historic city, covers an area of ​​15 square km and has an impressive production capacity of 550 thousand barrels per day. This puts the refinery among the largest in the world, just slightly behind the Carriel refinery in Luziânia, United States. The refinery has several processing units, including crude oil distillation, vacuum installation, hydrocracking, fluid catavitic cracker, among others.

Structure and construction

The refinery was developed in several phases, starting with a small unit and expanding to its current capacity over the following decades. The complex includes not only the processing units, but also storage tanks and pipelines, with a robust infrastructure to ensure efficiency and safety.

Ras Tanura is not only a beacon for the Saudi oil industry, but also a crucial pillar for the country's economy. With an annual sales potential that exceeds 17 billion dollars, the refinery contributes significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Saudi Arabia and for government revenue, with oil accounting for around 70% of government revenue. This one enterprise plays an essential role not only in the local economy, but also in the global energy market.

Sustainability and future

Despite the growing wave of sustainability and the search for alternative energy sources, oil still plays a crucial role in the world's energy matrix, with 29,5% of the global energy source in 2020. The global demand for oil, according to the International Agency of Energy, will continue to grow until at least 2040, especially in developing countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. This puts the Ras Tanura refinery and Saudi Arabia in a strategic position to meet this growing demand.

The Ras Tanura refinery is an example of the continued importance of oil in global energy scenario and Saudi Arabia's ability to maintain its position as one of the world leaders in oil production. As the world seeks a balance between sustainable development and energy demands, the refinery represents a significant link between the present and future of the energy industry.