While the world shifts toward cleaner energy, several historic oil refineries that helped launch the global oil industry are still operating after more than 150 years.
These pioneering facilities, built in the 19th century, continue to process crude oil despite the evolving energy landscape. The oldest, Romania’s Ploieşti Refinery, began operations in 1856 and was a strategic target during World War II due to its crucial fuel production.
Other century-old refineries still running include France’s Nobel Refinery (1858), Azerbaijan’s Baku Refinery (1859), Germany’s Burghausen Refinery (1866), and the Netherlands’ Pernis Refinery (1883). The Pernis facility, operated by Shell, has grown from its modest beginnings into one of Europe’s largest and most advanced refining complexes.
These historic sites demonstrate the enduring legacy of fossil fuels in global development, even as renewable alternatives gain prominence.
