Germany plans first national refinery strategy by 2027

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche has initiated a dialogue to develop the country’s first comprehensive national refinery strategy. The initiative aims to preserve industrial value and secure supply chains, as Germany’s 11 refinery sites process approximately 92 million tons of crude oil annually. The Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy noted that losing these capacities could not be compensated for by imports and would specifically threaten the domestic chemical industry.

The development process will involve workshops starting in November 2026, featuring working groups focused on investment conditions, infrastructure, resilience, and integration with chemical industry strategies. The goal is to present the draft to the federal cabinet for a decision by the first quarter of 2027.

Key discussions include navigating European regulatory frameworks, such as the emissions trading system and hydrogen regulations. Minister Reiche emphasized the need for affordable hydrogen production for crude oil desulfurization. Additionally, the industry is seeking revisions to methane regulations, noting that current proposals could result in 80 percent of oil and gas imports to Germany failing to meet requirements.