Azerbaijan's state oil company, SOCAR, has officially resumed operations at its Baku oil refinery as of April 18, 2025, following a significant 40-day shutdown. This interruption was necessitated by maintenance works that came after a fire incident at the facility, which is the only one in the country producing refined petroleum products.
The refinery, located in the Nizami district of Baku, has an impressive annual processing capacity of 6.5 million tonnes. According to a source within SOCAR, the fire was fully extinguished earlier in March 2025, as confirmed by the Ministry of Emergency Situations. This fire had raised concerns over the refinery's operational capabilities, leading to the extended maintenance period.
During the downtime, SOCAR took proactive measures to ensure the domestic fuel supply remained stable. The company imported approximately 40,000 metric tons of AI-92 gasoline to meet the local demand while the refinery was offline. This move was crucial, as the refinery plays a vital role in producing essential fuels, including gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, and fuel oil, which collectively cover most of Azerbaijan's domestic fuel needs.
The Baku refinery's resumption of operations is seen as a significant relief for the local market, which relies heavily on the facility for its fuel supply. With the refinery back in action, SOCAR is expected to ramp up production to not only meet local demand but also stabilize prices that might have been affected during the shutdown.
As Azerbaijan continues to navigate through its energy challenges, the operational status of the Baku refinery is critical. The refinery's ability to produce various petroleum products ensures that the country can maintain its energy independence and support its economy.
In recent months, the oil industry has faced various pressures, including fluctuations in global oil prices and domestic supply chain issues. The successful resumption of the refinery operations is a positive indicator for SOCAR and the broader Azerbaijani economy, which is heavily reliant on oil exports.
Industry analysts are keenly observing the developments surrounding SOCAR and the Baku refinery. The maintenance works and subsequent resumption of operations highlight the importance of safety and operational integrity in the oil sector, especially in a region where energy production is a cornerstone of economic stability.
Moving forward, SOCAR is expected to focus not only on maximizing output but also on implementing further safety measures to prevent future incidents. The refinery's operational reliability will be a key factor in ensuring the sustainability of Azerbaijan's energy sector.
In conclusion, the resumption of operations at the Baku oil refinery marks a significant milestone for SOCAR and the Azerbaijani energy landscape. As the company works to restore normalcy in production levels, it will also need to address the challenges posed by the global oil market and domestic energy needs.
