Asia is expected to lead global conventional refinery capacity additions during 2026 to 2030, supported by a large pipeline of new build and expansion projects. The region is also expected to account for the highest number of upcoming refinery projects globally, reflecting continued investment in refining infrastructure to meet domestic fuel demand and strengthen supply security.

Expansion projects are particularly important across Asia, as refiners continue to add new refinery units rather than relying only on greenfield refineries. For example, the Vadinar CDU Expansion in India is the largest upcoming CDU projects in Asia, as well as globally. The project helps to meet surging domestic fuel demand and further secures India’s national energy security.

New refinery projects also significantly increase the Asia refining capacity, especially in countries such as China and Pakistan, highlighting the focus on both developing new refining facilities in addition to increasing processing capacity at existing refineries.

India and China are the key contributors to Asia’s refinery development pipeline. India has the largest number of projects in the region, with expansion projects playing an important role in increasing refining and other units capacities. China, meanwhile, continues to add new refinery projects such as the Caofeidian V and Gulei, alongside other facilities.

The project pipeline in Asia is also progressing across different development stages, with considerable projects are already under construction stage while others mostly remain in feasibility and approval stages. This suggests that capacity additions in Asia are more likely to be realised through the end of the decade, supported by a combination of new facilities and upgrades to existing refining assets.

Further details of global conventional refinery projects outlook can be found in GlobalData’s new report, 'Global Conventional Refinery New–Build and Expansion Projects Outlook to 2030 (2026 Edition)'.