Aden (South24 Center)

Technical and administrative sources revealed on Monday (July 21) that Aden Refinery Company is preparing to restart production operations in early August, following years of shutdown due to war and infrastructure deterioration. This move is viewed as critical for supporting the local economy and energy sector in South Yemen.

The announcement came after an inspection visit by Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, Vice President of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council and President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), to the company’s headquarters in Al-Buraiqa. During the visit, Al-Zubaidi held a meeting with the administrative board and reviewed the progress of maintenance and rehabilitation efforts on-site.

Engineer Saeed Mohammed, Acting Director General of the Refinery Company, said technical teams are currently working to restart the mini-unit to produce about 6,000 barrels per day of mazut and diesel, in addition to restarting the vacuum distillation unit to produce asphalt, noting that preparations have entered their final stages.

The refinery's return to operation even initially is expected to cover part of Aden power plants' needs for diesel and mazut, potentially reducing dependence on fuel imports from abroad. The locally produced asphalt is also anticipated to support projects for rehabilitating and maintaining the city's deteriorated roads.

Ongoing rehabilitation work also includes maintenance of the refinery's dedicated power station, aiming to secure stable operational power supply and ensure sustainability of industrial operations.

During the meeting, Al-Zubaidi stressed that Aden Refinery represents a strategic economic artery, emphasizing full political leadership support for restart efforts, adding that the company faces a real test to restore its vital role according to an official statement.

Aden Refinery is one of the oldest oil refineries in the Arabian Peninsula, but suffered significant damage during the war that erupted in 2015. Several previous attempts to restart operations faltered due to financial and structural problems, amid popular demands to reactivate this economic edifice to supply local markets with petroleum products and ease import burdens.