• OIL REFINING INDUSTRY IN MODERN CONDITIONS: TRENDS & PROSPECTS: markets, cooperation, supply chains, government support, increasing role of petrochemicals
• TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS IN OIL REFINING & THEIR IMPACT ON PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY: development of Russian technologies, R&D, green technologies, water treatment
• MODERN EQUIPMENT, DESIGN & ENGINEERING: import substitution, pilot plants, distillation, filtration, ecology, energy efficiency, resource conservation
• DIGITAL EVOLUTION: A NEW LOOK AT APCS AND AI IN OIL REFINING: digital transformation, automation, data analytics, intelligent systems, artificial intelligence
• IMPROVING REFINERIES OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY: modern tools, increasing production margins, sustainable development, ESG
• NEW MATERIALS & CATALYSTS IN OIL REFINING: Russian, foreign, lifecycle management
• INNOVATIONS IN SAFETY: PROTECTION IN PRODUCTION: comprehensive safety, risks, mitigation of possible consequences, colleagues’ experience
• DISCUSSION CLUBS

- Adaptation of refineries’ strategic goals to modern realities
- Staffing shortage: investing in human capital

Conference REFINING 2025, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, continues its tradition of bringing together industry professionals and providing a platform for exchanging experiences, discussing current trends, and finding solutions to unprecedented challenges.

Companies are currently forced to operate in an uncertain environment due to volatile crude oil prices, the need to strengthen security measures and changing sales markets. In these circumstances, the most important is to focus on operational flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt to any situation.

Key development priorities for the industry, noted by experts at the conference held in 2025, include the need to develop own competencies to improve operational efficiency, return to a low-carbon agenda and an increasing role of petrochemicals in refineries’ development strategies worldwide.

Cooperation with Chinese companies, previously considered as a promising opportunity, has now acquired particular significance for the industry. Today, it is virtually impossible to find a company whose technological process does not utilize Chinese equipment or expertise. Therefore, further development of cooperation with Chinese partners is strategically important for maintaining the technological competitiveness, modernization, and sustainable development of the Russian oil refining industry.

Special emphasis in the Conference program will be placed on Discussion Clubs, where participants will be able to actively exchange opinions, share experiences, and find collaborative solutions. These interactive sessions will provide a platform for in-depth discussions and idea generation, allowing each participant to contribute to the development of the industry and strengthen professional networks.

Over 200 top executives and key specialists from leading oil and gas companies, equipment manufacturers, technology and service providers from Russia, Belarus, China and Türkiye attended the 25th Anniversary Refining Conference and Exhibition: Projects, Technologies, Equipment, Catalysts - REFINING 2025.

The event took place on February 19-20, 2025 in Moscow, supported by Gazprombank (General Sponsor), TECHNIQUE and TAIF-NK. Organizer – Energy Leader.

Top executive managers – honored attendees of the conference who have actively supported this significant event for the oil refining industry over the years – came to congratulate the organizers and all participants at the opening event ceremony, recalling the industry’s significant development milestones over the past decades. The most important message was that nowadays it is crucial to focus on developing own competencies, which requires maintaining an open dialogue between all market participants.

Mikhail Ershov, CEO of New Technologies Watch Center, presented an overview of the current state of motor fuel production in Russia. He noted that a return to a low-carbon agenda and the introduction of biocomponents are becoming necessary to improve the competitiveness of our marine fuels, which are currently inferior to Western counterparts due to the addition of light petroleum products instead of desulfurization.

Vladimir Kapustin, Head of Oil Refining Technology Department at the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, Honored Member of Fuel and Energy Complex, presented an overview of new opportunities for Russian oil refining in the face of external influences. He emphasized that, given the changing geopolitical situation and new announcements, some Western companies may return to the Russian market, and therefore, Russian oil refining industry cannot permit to slow down. Ivan Timonin, Project Manager, Implementa, noted that increasing the role of petrochemicals is a key focus of the global refinery development strategy, while the involvement of Russian vertically integrated oil companies, which possess significant potential and resources for developing petrochemicals within their refineries, is limited.

Anna Detkova, Managing Director of Banking Support for Petrochemical Contracts Department, Gazprombank, explained how the use of banking support can positively impact the economic efficiency of enterprises.

As part of the experience exchange, solutions for import substitution of equipment and technologies were proposed:

• TECHNIQUE: review of critical components of tubular steam reforming furnaces made of heat-resistant, high-temperature alloys
• STRONG: import substitution in the design and manufacture of reactor and column internals
• Splitex (formerly SULZER CHEMTECH LLC): technological services from a Russian manufacturer of internal contact devices
• Grasis: Russian solutions for the production, purification and concentration of hydrogen
• TrinityTech: additive manufacturing repair capabilities

The conference’s business agenda focused on solutions for optimizing and improving the operational efficiency of enterprises:

• Gazprom neft: increasing the value of projects through comprehensive project assessments (CPAs) during project transitions
• Digital Technology Center: relevance of conducting a comparative analysis of petrochemical companies’ operations to achieve operational improvements
• EPIK: experience in implementing global dynamic optimization systems (SGDO) in the context of a Russian oil refinery
• IAS Engineering and Consulting: specifics of conducting financial and technical audit (FTA) during bank financing

The proposed solutions are aimed at improving the efficiency and competitiveness of enterprises, as well as adapting to new market conditions. Conference participants discussed the importance of implementing modern technologies and management methods, which will help to optimize production processes as well as to ensure the sustainable development of the oil refining industry in the face of global change.

The discussion session “Ways to Increase Production Margins” explored key strategies and practical approaches aimed at optimizing production processes and reducing costs. The discussion emphasized the need for collaboration and knowledge sharing to achieve sustainable growth and competitiveness in the changing market.

Special attention was given to import substitution of catalysts and adsorbents, as well as their development and testing. Dragtsvetmet, Labtest and Shanxi Tengmao Technology Co., a Chinese supplier of FCC/RFCC catalyst and additive solutions, shared their experiences and solutions with conference participants. During the roundtable discussion, participants had the opportunity to discuss the industrial application of catalysts available on the Russian market, as well as the potential for agreements on testing at partner pilot facilities.

A particularly useful part of the program was the product and service exhibition visit. Visitors were able to evaluate laboratory equipment and product samples.

Over the two days of the conference, each participant held several dozen business meetings, totaling over six hours.