Shell Announces Closure of Wesseling Oil Refinery, Embraces Green Transition

Shell has declared the forthcoming closure of its oil refinery in Wesseling, Germany, by 2025, as part of its commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

The company plans to repurpose the site to manufacture lubricant feedstock in accordance with its ambitious environmental targets.

Shell aims to convert the hydrocracker unit at the Wesseling refinery into a production facility for Group III base oils, primarily used in engines with an annual capacity of approximately 300,000 metric tons.

This shift marks a significant step in Shell’s endeavor to curb operational carbon emissions, with an anticipated reduction of about 620,000 tons annually.

The decision underscores Shell’s broader objective of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Concurrently, Shell intends to divest its refining and petrochemicals site in Singapore, emphasizing its global commitment to sustainability and green energy practices.

Although crude oil processing at the Wesseling site will cease in 2025, operations will continue at the Godorf refinery, situated nearby.

The conversion of the Wesseling site into a lubricant feedstock plant signifies Shell’s proactive approach towards environmental stewardship and its determination to embrace a greener future in the energy sector.