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The Amuay refinery (Amuay) is the largest component of the Complejo Refinador de Paraguaná (CRP | English: Paraguana Refining Complex) in northwestern Venezuela. The CRP, with a nominal capacity of 971,000 barrels per day (bpd), consists of the Amuay (645,000 bpd), Cardón (310,000 bpd), and Bajo Grande (16,000 bpd, primarily for asphalt production) refineries.

Amuay is located on the Paraguaná Peninsula in Falcón state and is operated by the state oil company Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). Since its inauguration in 1950 with an initial capacity of 60,000 bpd, Amuay has undergone multiple expansions and technological upgrades, reaching its current installed capacity of approximately 645,000 bpd, making it the largest refinery in Venezuela and one of the largest globally.

Refinery Configuration

Amuay's process configuration is highly complex, designed to handle a wide range of Venezuelan crude oils, including heavy and extra-heavy grades.

• The refinery features five primary atmospheric distillation units, which form the backbone of its crude processing capability.
• Downstream, Amuay is equipped with
  • a 104,000 bpd fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit
  • a 62,000 bpd flexicoker (enabling deep conversion of heavy residues)
  • a delayed coking unit
    all critical for maximizing gasoline and light product yields from heavy feedstocks.
• Supporting units include:
  • a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) plant and sulfur recovery units (SRU)
  • naphtha and kerosine hydrotreaters
  • hydrogen reformers (three units)
  • alkylation and isomerization units for producing high-octane gasoline blending components
• The refinery also operates a lubricants complex.

Feedstock and Products

• Feedstock: Amuay is designed for flexibility, with the ability to process a mix of light, medium, and heavy crudes, and to adjust its output to market and domestic demand. Feedstock for Amuay is supplied via the Ule-Amuay pipeline, drawing from Venezuela’s extensive crude oil reserves.
• Products: The refinery’s product slate includes gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, LPG, lubricants, asphalt, and elemental sulfur.

Recent Operational Status

Amuay has faced significant operational challenges in recent years, including underinvestment, maintenance issues, and the impact of U.S. sanctions. Notably, a major explosion in August 2012, triggered by a vapor cloud from an olefin leak, resulted in extensive damage, loss of life, and temporary shutdown of operations. Despite such setbacks, PDVSA has periodically restored operations, often with technical support from international partners such as Iran and China.