Oil Refinery Throughput โ - Oil Refinery Throughput refers to the actual volume of crude oil and other refinery feedstocks processed by petroleum refineries during a given period. It is typically measured in thousand barrels per day (kb/d) and represents the operational output of the refining sector rather than its installed capacity. This indicator reflects the extent to which refinery infrastructure is utilized to convert crude oil into refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other petroleum products. Oil Refinery Throughput is widely used to assess refinery operations, downstream petroleum activity, fuel production levels, and the efficiency of refinery utilization.
It serves as an important indicator of refinery utilization, fuel production, industrial efficiency, energy security, and Malaysia's ability to meet domestic demand while supporting exports of refined petroleum products.
Malaysia recorded oil refinery throughput of 514 thousand barrels daily in 2015, increasing to 574 thousand barrels daily in 2016 and remaining relatively stable at 570 thousand barrels daily in 2017. Throughput eased slightly to 566 thousand barrels daily in 2018 before reaching 586 thousand barrels daily in 2019, the highest level during the review period. In 2020, refinery throughput declined to 491 thousand barrels daily because of reduced fuel demand and operational disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Processing volumes recovered to 571 thousand barrels daily in 2021, increased to 584 thousand barrels daily in 2022, and remained broadly stable at 582 thousand barrels daily in 2023, reflecting resilient refinery operations and steady downstream activity.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates relatively stable refinery throughput with moderate fluctuations throughout the review period. Following the temporary decline during 2020, refinery activity recovered quickly, supported by improving refinery utilization and strengthening regional fuel demand.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating Malaysia's refinery throughput trends, analyzing downstream industry performance, and assessing crude oil processing activity. It supports refinery utilization analysis, investment planning, energy security assessments, and policy evaluation while providing valuable insights for researchers, analysts, industry stakeholders, and policymakers studying refinery efficiency, infrastructure utilization, and the long-term competitiveness of Malaysia's petroleum refining industry.