SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

China Optimizes Petrochemical Production with 50 Million Tons Capacity

The Zhenhai refinery, following a strategic expansion, consolidates the Ningbo base as a major player in China's petrochemical sector.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90€/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90€/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90€/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 €/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99€/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99€/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 €/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

China asserts its leadership in the petrochemical sector with the completion of a key expansion at the Zhenhai refinery, operated by China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec). Located in the strategic Yangtze River Delta region, this extension increases the annual refining capacity of the Ningbo petrochemical base to an impressive total of 50 million tons, solidifying its position as the country’s largest petrochemical platform.

A Driver for China’s Strategic Industry

This investment, valued at 41.6 billion yuan (CNY), integrates state-of-the-art infrastructure including 18 advanced production units. The technologies implemented, such as catalytic cracking and propane dehydrogenation, play a vital role in supplying key industries like automotive, textiles, and household appliances.

A Model for Innovation and Efficiency

The project is distinguished by significant technological advancements, such as the introduction of ten localized high-level technologies, including the world’s highest-performance labyrinth vertical compressor. The integration of a digital industrial system enhances decision-making and operational management. Moreover, ambitious energy-saving measures have achieved an overall energy consumption reduction of 11.7%.

A Globally Competitive Hub

The Zhenhai refinery, now capable of producing 2.2 million tons of ethylene annually, strengthens its strategic role in the global market. Ranked among the top performers in the Solomon Global Ethylene Performance Evaluation, this infrastructure reflects China’s industrial and economic ambitions.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Orazul Energy Perú buys back 68% of its 2027 bonds in cash tender offer
GATE Energy awarded commissioning contract for bp’s Kaskida offshore project
CPS Energy acquires 1,632 MW of natural gas capacity from ProEnergy for $1.39bn
Macquarie injects $350mn to support Nexamp’s solar and storage expansion in the United States
enCore Energy secures key federal ruling for Dewey Burdock uranium project
Syrian tanker docks in Trieste, first crude delivery in 14 years
A Syrian vessel carrying 640,000 barrels of crude has docked in Italy, marking the country’s first oil shipment since the civil war began in 2011, amid partial easing of US sanctions.
Canadian exports to China rise on back of expanded TMX pipeline
Canadian crude shipments from the Pacific Coast reached 13.7 million barrels in August, driven by a notable increase in deliveries to China and a drop in flows to the US Gulf Coast.
Oil and gas to remain dominant in global energy mix through 2050
Faced with rising global electricity demand, energy sector leaders are backing an "all-of-the-above" strategy, with oil and gas still expected to supply 50% of global needs by 2050.
UK sanctions 70 tankers to reinforce Russian oil price cap
London has expanded its sanctions against Russia by blacklisting 70 new tankers, striking at the core of Moscow's energy exports and budget revenues.
Iraq and Oman in talks to build new oil pipeline to secure exports to Asia
Iraq is negotiating with Oman to build a pipeline linking Basrah to Omani shores to reduce its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz and stabilise crude exports to Asia.
Vallourec signs $1bn contract with Petrobras for Brazilian offshore operations
French steel tube manufacturer Vallourec has secured a strategic agreement with Petrobras, covering complete offshore well solutions from 2026 to 2029.
IEA warns of 3.3 million barrel oil surplus in 2026
Increased output from Opec+ and non-member producers is expected to create a global oil surplus as early as 2025, putting pressure on crude prices, according to the International Energy Agency.
Petrobras takes 27.5% stake in Block 4 offshore São Tomé with Shell and Galp
The Brazilian company expands its African footprint with a new offshore exploration stake, partnering with Shell and Galp to develop São Tomé and Príncipe’s Block 4.
Drone strikes major Bachneft refinery in Ufa, fire breaks out
A drone attack on a Bachneft oil facility in Ufa sparked a fire with no casualties, temporarily disrupting activity at one of Russia’s largest refineries.
Transatlantic rift over Russian oil reduces Indian volumes in October
The divide between the United States and the European Union over regulations on Russian oil exports to India is causing a drop in scheduled deliveries, as negotiation margins tighten between buyers and sellers.
US crude oil stocks rise by 3.9 million barrels
Against market expectations, US commercial crude reserves surged due to a sharp drop in exports, only slightly affecting international prices.
Russia increases oil exports from western ports by 11% in September
Russia plans to ship 2.1 million barrels per day from its western ports in September, revising exports upward amid lower domestic demand following drone attacks on key refineries.
QatarEnergy secures offshore exploration licence in Congo
QatarEnergy obtained a 35% stake in the Nzombo block, located in deep waters off Congo, under a production sharing contract signed with the Congolese government.
Phillips 66 takes full control of two US refineries for $1.4bn
Phillips 66 acquires Cenovus Energy’s remaining 50% in WRB Refining, strengthening its US market position with two major sites totalling 495,000 barrels per day.
Union strike threatens fuel deliveries from Dangote refinery
Nigeria’s two main oil unions have halted loadings at the Dangote refinery, contesting the rollout of a private logistics fleet that could reshape the sector’s balance.
ReconAfrica secures offshore block in Gabon with production sharing contract
Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. enters Gabonese offshore with a strategic contract on the Ngulu block, expanding its portfolio with immediate production potential and long-term development opportunities.
BW Energy raises $365mn for Maromba FPSO and secures drilling rig
BW Energy has finalised a $365mn financing for the conversion of the Maromba FPSO offshore Brazil and signed a short-term lease for a drilling rig with Minsheng Financial Leasing.
Vantage Drilling signs 260-day contract for the Platinum Explorer
Vantage Drilling has finalised a major commercial agreement for the deployment of the Platinum Explorer, with a 260-day offshore mission starting in Q1 2026.
Permex signs agreement for potential $25mn funding with Chisos
Permex Petroleum has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Chisos Ltd. for potential funding of up to $25mn to develop its oil assets in the Permian Basin.
OPEC+ approves 137,000 barrels/day increase starting in October
OPEC+ begins a new phase of gradual production increases, starting to lift 1.65 million barrels/day of voluntary cuts after the early conclusion of a 2.2 million barrels/day phaseout.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.