STAR Refinery has launched the engineering, procurement and construction process for a new jet fuel unit, with an investment of approximately TRY 6 billion. The new Jet Fuel (Kero-Merox) Unit is expected to increase the refinery’s annual diesel production by around 600,000 tonnes. The investment will contribute to reducing Türkiye’s dependence on diesel imports while enhancing STAR Refinery’s production flexibility and energy efficiency.
STAR Refinery, SOCAR’s refinery in Türkiye and one of the world’s leading energy companies’ major investments in the country, is undertaking the New Jet Fuel (Kero-Merox) Unit project to further strengthen its contribution to Türkiye’s fuel supply. As part of the investment, an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contract has been signed with a consortium comprising leading international companies for the construction of the new unit.
Engineering, procurement and construction activities for the project are expected to commence in the coming days, with the new unit scheduled to become operational in the first quarter of 2029.
The New Jet Fuel (Kero-Merox) Unit is designed to bring a significant transformation to STAR Refinery’s production processes. By switching the existing KHT Unit, currently used for jet fuel production, to diesel production mode, the refinery aims to increase its annual diesel output by approximately 600,000 tonnes. Once jet fuel production is transferred to the newly established facility, the existing KHT Unit will also be available for jet fuel production again, depending on market conditions.
This will increase the refinery’s production flexibility while also contributing to improved energy efficiency.
“We aim to help reduce Türkiye’s dependence on diesel imports and its current account deficit”
Commenting on the strategic importance of the investment, Kanan Mirzayev, General Manager of Petkim and Head of SOCAR Türkiye’s Refining and Petrochemicals Business Unit, said:
“The New Jet Fuel Unit to be commissioned at STAR Refinery is a strategic transformation investment that will enhance our refinery’s production flexibility and energy efficiency. By transferring our jet fuel production to the new facility, we will create an additional annual diesel production capacity of approximately 600,000 tonnes.
We will further increase our flexibility to adjust jet fuel and diesel production in line with market conditions. Through this investment of approximately TRY 6 billion, we aim to contribute to reducing Türkiye’s dependence on diesel imports and its current account deficit. With this investment, SOCAR’s total investments in Türkiye will reach USD 20 billion.
When STAR Refinery commenced operations at the end of 2018, it was Türkiye’s third-largest refinery by facility capacity, with an annual refining capacity of 10 million tonnes. Through the work we have carried out in recent years, we have increased this capacity to 13 million tonnes per year, making it the largest refinery in Türkiye by facility capacity. This new investment will further strengthen our position.”
Facility Scheduled to Become Operational in the First Quarter of 2029
The investment in the New Jet Fuel Unit aims to expand STAR Refinery’s production capabilities and increase its contribution to Türkiye’s fuel supply.
Occupational health and safety will be the top priority throughout the construction and installation phases of the project. Following the safe completion of these activities, the facility is scheduled to become operational in the first quarter of 2029.
