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Despite the challenges facing the petroleum refining sector, due to the call for reducing its carbon footprint, it could play an important role in supporting low carbon transitions worldwide, since much of the current processing and distribution infrastructure can be repurposed for this approach. If the refining sector wants to remain a part of the overall energy transition, it will have to start thinking on how to comply with the regulations and how to remain relevant in the market through applying different decarbonization technologies. This study assesses several technological pathways for decarbonizing petroleum refining. At the top of the list are the application of fuel switching onsite heat generation and applying carbon capture to the major process units and possibly gas turbines where necessary. Carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS) technologies are an effective tool for mitigating process emissions because these flue streams come from large, single-point sources rather than varied and dispersed exhaust systems. Fuel switching and electrification, on the other hand, can be applied to dispersed combustion systems, providing clean heat if the electricity or fuel is low or zero carbon. The study concluded that today’s success of the refining industry is no longer just measured on safe and profitable operations, but also the delivery of low carbon products and commitment to low carbon emissions. These situations call for strong collaboration between OAPEC members, working together to implement sustainable solutions for the refining industry to remain competitive.
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