What is a refinery?

Petroleum refineries process crude oil and other liquid hydrocarbons into a wide range of petroleum products essential for daily use. The primary focus of most refineries is the production of transportation fuels. On average, U.S. refineries yield approximately 19 to 20 gallons of motor gasoline, 12 gallons of distillate fuel—predominantly diesel—and 4 gallons of jet fuel from a 42-gallon barrel of crude oil. Additionally, refineries manufacture more than a dozen other petroleum products. They also produce feedstocks utilized by the petrochemical industry to create various chemicals and plastics.

Continuous Operation of Refineries

Refineries operate continuously, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, necessitating a substantial workforce. The physical footprint of a refinery can span an area equivalent to several hundred football fields.