Complete List of All Refineries Operating in the UK

This article will analyze the complete list of all oil refineries in the UK and their locations.

Its refining infrastructure, located along the UK coast, is vital to the country’s energy security.

An oil refinery is an industrial plant that transforms or refines crude oil into different usable petroleum products. These petroleum products include:

• Gasoline: High-quality petrol for vehicles.
• Diesel: Fuel for commercial vehicles and transportation.
• Aviation Fuel: Jet fuel for airlines.
• Propane & LPG: Cooking, Agriculture, industrial applications & heating.
• Fuel Oil: Power generation, heating, industrial use.
• Heating Oil: Fuel for residential and commercial heating systems.
• Petrochemical Feedstocks: Raw materials for chemical manufacturing.
• Others: kerosene, heating oil, bitumen, and lubricants.

These petroleum products are also used for transportation, heating, generating electricity, and feedstock for making chemicals.

Complete List of All Refineries Operating in the UK

The UK has six major oil refineries, with a capacity of about 1.2 million barrels per day. In 2023, the country’s refining capacity amounted to nearly 1.22 million barrels daily.

The UK strategically operates six major oil refineries across England, Scotland, and Wales to serve regional and national fuel demands. The six oil refineries in the UK include:

Fawley Refinery

• Location: Fawley, Southampton, Hampshire, England
• Commission Date: 1951
• Operator: ExxonMobil Corporation
• Capacity: 270,000 barrels daily, 20% of the UK’s total refining capacity

Fawley is the largest oil refinery in the UK, with a capacity of 270,000 barrels per day, accounting for 20% of the country’s refinery capacity. Fawley’s deep-water port on Southampton Water facilitates the global import of crude oil and the export of refined products. In addition to fuel, Fawley is a major producer of chemical feedstocks. Fawley’s petrochemical complex produces about 750,000 chemical products yearly. These include propane, butane, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and base oils. They serve as feedstock for producing plastics, resins, and other materials critical for consumer goods and industrial applications.

Pembroke Refinery

• Location: Rhoscrowther, Pembrokeshire, Wales
• Commission Date: 1964
• Operator: Valero Energy Corporation
• Capacity: 270,000 barrels per day

Pembroke Refinery is one of the largest oil refineries in the UK. The refinery produces about 135,000 barrels of petrol and 82,000 barrels of diesel daily. It also supplies Jet A-1 to Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted airports. The facility has about 140 storage tanks with a total storage capacity of 10.5 million barrels of storage. Pembroke can easily access global shipping routes for crude oil imports and refined product exports.

Humber Refinery

• Location: South Killingholme, North Lincolnshire, England
• Commission Date: 1969
• Operator: Phillips 66
• Capacity: 221,000 barrels daily

The Humber Refinery is among the UK and Europe’s largest and most advanced oil refineries. Located near the Humber Estuary, it exports refined products to continental Europe and other markets. This refinery in the UK refines crude oil mainly from the North Sea via Tetney Oil Terminal.  Supplies are delivered via an extensive pipeline network to key locations across the UK, including North East England’s cities, airports, and industrial hubs.

Stanlow Refinery

• Location: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England
• Commission Date: 1924
• Operator: Essar Oil (UK) Ltd
• Capacity: 190,000 barrels daily, 2nd largest refinery in the UK, supplying ~16% of UK road fuels.

Stanlow Refinery is the second-largest oil refinery in the UK. It supplies about 16% of all road transport fuels. Stanlow receives its crude supply through a 24-kilometre-long pipeline from the Tranmere oil base near the Mersey. The refinery processes crude oil from the North, Mediterranean, and West Africa. Its chemical-producing plants also produce polymers, propylene, and other products.

Grangemouth Refinery

• Location: Firth of Forth, Grangemouth, Scotland
• Commission Date: 1924
• Operator: Petroineos (a joint venture of Ineos and PetroChina)
• Capacity: 150,000 barrels daily

As one of the largest oil refineries in the UK, this refinery supplies fuel to Scotland and Northern England. The site provides aviation fuel to Scotland’s major airports, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Prestwick. In addition, the refinery provides around 70% of Scotland’s refined oil needs. Its location near the Firth of Forth gives the refinery a strategic advantage for importing crude oil and exporting refined fuel to global markets. Furthermore, Grangemouth is also home to a large petrochemical facility, which produces vital chemicals like ethylene and propylene. However, Scotland’s only oil refinery will close by June 2025 due to declining demand, financial losses, and operational inefficiencies.

Prax Lindsey

• Location: North Killingholme, North Lincolnshire, England
• Commission Date: 1968
• Operator: the Prax Group
•  Capacity: 111,300 barrels per day

Prax Lindsey plays a critical role in supplying fuels to the northern and midlands regions of the UK. In 2020, Total Energies sold the refinery to the Prax Group. It has a strong logistics infrastructure, rail and road loading facilities, and a pipeline connection to Greater London.

Summary: FAQs About Oil Refineries in the UK 

How many oil refineries are operating in the UK?

As of 2025, six (6) major oil refineries are operating in the UK. However, by 2026, the number will decrease to five (6) as Scotland’s only refinery will be shut down.

Which is the largest oil refinery in the UK?

The Fawley Refinery (ExxonMobil) in Southampton is the largest, with a capacity of 270,000 barrels daily.

Where are the oil refineries located in the UK?

• Fawley (Southampton, England)
• Pembroke (Wales)
• Stanlow (Cheshire, England)
• Grangemouth (Scotland)
• Lindsey (Lincolnshire, England)
• Humber Refinery (North Lincolnshire, England)

Who operates the UK’s oil refineries?

Key operators include:

• ExxonMobil (Fawley)
• Essar Oil UK (Stanlow)
• Petroineos (Grangemouth)
• Phillips 66 (Humber)
• Prax Group (Lindsey)
• Valero Energy (Pembroke)

Does the UK import and export refined fuel?

The answer is “Yes” for both questions. Although the UK operates six refineries, it imports roughly 50% of its jet fuel and diesel needs due to high demand. Oil refineries in the UK produce more fuel than the domestic market demand. As a result, it exports a significant portion of diesel, jet fuel, and gasoline to Europe and North America.

What products do UK refineries produce?

• Petrol & Diesel
• Jet fuel
• Heating oil
• Bitumen (for roads)
• Petrochemical feedstocks

What type of crude oil do UK refineries process?

Based on refinery design and market demand, UK refineries process North Sea crude and imports from the Middle East, West Africa, and the Americas.

What role do refineries play in UK energy security?

Refineries are essential to the UK’s fuel supply, providing gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, and heating oil. At the same time, they support the UK’s energy security through strategic stockpiling of its strategic reserves.