popular articles

Georgia launches its first refinery to secure its energy supply

Georgia begins construction of its first oil refinery at Kulevi, with the aim of reducing its dependence on Russian imports and strengthening its energy autonomy.

Please share:

In a strategic move to diversify its sources of supply, Georgia has given the go-ahead to Black Sea Petroleum to set up a new refinery at Kulevi, on the Black Sea coast.
This facility, the first of its kind in the country, represents a major step forward for the Georgian oil industry, traditionally dependent on imports, notably from Russia.
With an initial capacity of 1.121 million tonnes per year, the refinery will not only meet the needs of the domestic market, but also stabilize supplies in a context of geopolitical uncertainty.
The refinery’s capacity is set to grow to 2.921 million tonnes per year, although no precise timetable for this expansion has yet been set.
At the same time, the construction of a tank farm with an initial capacity of 89,000 m³, expandable to 440,200 m³, is also planned, thus reinforcing distribution and export infrastructures.

An unstable geopolitical context

The decision to build this refinery comes at a time when oil supplies, mainly from Russia, have become increasingly unpredictable.
Recent disruptions to Russian infrastructures, notably due to targeted attacks, have highlighted the fragility of current supply chains. Georgia, until now largely dependent on these imports, is taking steps to secure its access to petroleum products.
In 2023, Georgian crude oil production stood at 56,200 tonnes, with steady annual growth of 15-20%.
However, in the absence of local refining capacity, most of the crude oil produced was exported at less advantageous prices.
The commissioning of the Kulevi refinery will change this dynamic, enabling Georgia to process its oil locally and better meet domestic demand.

Export potential and regional implications

The new refinery at Kulevi will not be limited to meeting domestic needs.
Indeed, its strategic location on the Black Sea coast opens up export prospects to neighboring markets such as Armenia, which also relies on imports of mainly Russian petroleum products.
The development of the Georgian ports of Poti and Batumi, as well as the future port of Anaklia, will strengthen this export capacity, by facilitating the maritime transport of refined products.
Crude oil supplies could come from several sources, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and potentially Iran.
This diversification of sources is crucial in the current geopolitical context, offering Georgia greater resilience in the face of potential supply chain disruptions.
With this project, Georgia is positioning itself not only to meet its own energy needs, but also to play a more influential role in the regional hydrocarbon market.
By reducing dependence on Russian imports and increasing local production capacity, the Kulevi refinery marks a key step in the evolution of Georgia’s energy sector.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Aramco strengthens its presence in the Philippine fuel market by acquiring 25% of Unioil, with the intent to expand its network of service stations and offer its refined products and Valvoline lubricants across the country.
Black Gold Exploration (BGX) has announced the start of drilling at the Fritz 2-30 well in Clay County, Indiana, after acquiring a 10% working interest in the project.
Black Gold Exploration (BGX) has announced the start of drilling at the Fritz 2-30 well in Clay County, Indiana, after acquiring a 10% working interest in the project.
Angola initiates new prospective studies on oil blocks 17/O6 and 32/21, aiming to identify drilling targets and avoid a prolonged decline in oil production.
Angola initiates new prospective studies on oil blocks 17/O6 and 32/21, aiming to identify drilling targets and avoid a prolonged decline in oil production.
A drone attack on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) threatens to disrupt Kazakhstan's oil exports. Vladimir Putin urges foreign partners, including Chevron, to fund the necessary repairs.
A drone attack on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) threatens to disrupt Kazakhstan's oil exports. Vladimir Putin urges foreign partners, including Chevron, to fund the necessary repairs.
Glencore announces a financial loss in 2024, attributed to a drop in demand and fluctuations in commodity prices, while considering a stock exchange move to strengthen its strategic position.
Three months after expressing its oil ambitions in Namibia, Rhino Resources announced the discovery of reserves on block 2914 in the Orange offshore basin, a strategic development for the company.
Three months after expressing its oil ambitions in Namibia, Rhino Resources announced the discovery of reserves on block 2914 in the Orange offshore basin, a strategic development for the company.
Brazil has officially joined the OPEC Charter, strengthening its position in the global energy sector while consolidating its place among influential producers.
Brazil has officially joined the OPEC Charter, strengthening its position in the global energy sector while consolidating its place among influential producers.
Woodside Energy has reassessed the reserves of the offshore Sangomar oil field in Senegal, adding 16.2 million barrels of oil equivalent to the proven reserves. This update supports production stability and strengthens the supply to the national refinery.
Woodside Energy has reassessed the reserves of the offshore Sangomar oil field in Senegal, adding 16.2 million barrels of oil equivalent to the proven reserves. This update supports production stability and strengthens the supply to the national refinery.
An agreement was signed in February 2025 between Kazakhstan and Hungary to enhance oil exports from Kazakhstan via the Druzhba pipeline. This development could change the energy dynamics in Central Europe.
Yemen's Oil Minister, Saeed Suleiman al-Shamasi, recently urged Iran to stop supporting Houthi rebels, as the war-torn country seeks to revive its natural gas exports. This plea was made amid a dire energy crisis and a deteriorating geopolitical situation.
Yemen's Oil Minister, Saeed Suleiman al-Shamasi, recently urged Iran to stop supporting Houthi rebels, as the war-torn country seeks to revive its natural gas exports. This plea was made amid a dire energy crisis and a deteriorating geopolitical situation.
Baghdad announces an agreement with Erbil to restart the export of 300,000 barrels per day via the Turkish port of Ceyhan. A government delegation will travel to Iraqi Kurdistan to finalize the export mechanism after two years of suspension.
Baghdad announces an agreement with Erbil to restart the export of 300,000 barrels per day via the Turkish port of Ceyhan. A government delegation will travel to Iraqi Kurdistan to finalize the export mechanism after two years of suspension.
Congo is set to inaugurate its second oil refinery by the end of the year. Located in Fouta, this facility, developed by Beijing Fortune Dingheng Investment, aims to reduce refined product imports and strengthen the country's energy independence.
Congo is set to inaugurate its second oil refinery by the end of the year. Located in Fouta, this facility, developed by Beijing Fortune Dingheng Investment, aims to reduce refined product imports and strengthen the country's energy independence.
The Buzios7 project, located in the Santos Basin, has officially begun production. With advanced processing capacity, it contributes to the goal of one million barrels per day for one of the world's largest deepwater oil fields.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts an increase of 1.1 million barrels per day (mb/d) in 2025, driven by consumption in non-OECD countries. Global production is expected to follow an upward trend despite recent declines and market tensions.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts an increase of 1.1 million barrels per day (mb/d) in 2025, driven by consumption in non-OECD countries. Global production is expected to follow an upward trend despite recent declines and market tensions.
The Société Africaine de Raffinage (SAR) has announced that it has processed domestically extracted crude oil for the first time. This industrial milestone marks a strategic step in the local valorization of the country's energy resources.
The Société Africaine de Raffinage (SAR) has announced that it has processed domestically extracted crude oil for the first time. This industrial milestone marks a strategic step in the local valorization of the country's energy resources.
U.S. oil stocks increased by 4.1 million barrels last week, surpassing analysts' expectations, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
U.S. oil stocks increased by 4.1 million barrels last week, surpassing analysts' expectations, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
OPEC anticipates a global consumption of 105.1 million barrels per day in 2025, driven by growth in transportation, particularly air and road traffic, with continuous growth expected until 2026.
Chevron announces a cost-cutting plan of $2 to $3 billion, resulting in the reduction of 15% to 20% of its workforce by 2026, aiming to simplify its organization and strengthen its long-term competitiveness.
Chevron announces a cost-cutting plan of $2 to $3 billion, resulting in the reduction of 15% to 20% of its workforce by 2026, aiming to simplify its organization and strengthen its long-term competitiveness.
Manuel Valls calls for a debate on banning oil exploitation in Guyana, while Minister of Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, opposes, emphasizing the consistency of France's environmental commitments.
Manuel Valls calls for a debate on banning oil exploitation in Guyana, while Minister of Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, opposes, emphasizing the consistency of France's environmental commitments.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has signed a major agreement with Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) for the import of Brazilian crude oil, strengthening India's energy supply diversification and reinforcing trade relations between the two nations.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has signed a major agreement with Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) for the import of Brazilian crude oil, strengthening India's energy supply diversification and reinforcing trade relations between the two nations.
ONGC and bp have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly explore opportunities in oil exploration, production, and trading. This three-year agreement aims to optimize mature fields and strengthen their presence in offshore bidding rounds in India.
Norwegian group Equinor plans to increase its oil and gas production by more than 10% by 2027. Facing economic constraints, the company is halving its investments in renewable energy and strengthening its presence in Africa, particularly in Tanzania.
Norwegian group Equinor plans to increase its oil and gas production by more than 10% by 2027. Facing economic constraints, the company is halving its investments in renewable energy and strengthening its presence in Africa, particularly in Tanzania.
Facing a decline in oil production, Equatorial Guinea is preparing to launch a new cycle of oil and gas license allocations. This initiative aims to attract investors to boost exploration and stabilize the hydrocarbon industry in a challenging economic context.
Facing a decline in oil production, Equatorial Guinea is preparing to launch a new cycle of oil and gas license allocations. This initiative aims to attract investors to boost exploration and stabilize the hydrocarbon industry in a challenging economic context.
Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest, could reach its full potential of 650,000 barrels per day within 30 days. Currently operating at 85% capacity, it faces crude oil supply challenges despite pressure from Nigeria’s regulatory authorities.
Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest, could reach its full potential of 650,000 barrels per day within 30 days. Currently operating at 85% capacity, it faces crude oil supply challenges despite pressure from Nigeria’s regulatory authorities.

Advertising