Azerbaijan recorded a significant increase in the production of key petroleum products during the first quarter of the year, with 587.3 thousand tons of diesel fuel produced between January and March.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, citing the State Statistical Committee, this figure represents a 6.2% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Despite the growth in specific fuel types, the total value of petroleum products manufactured in Azerbaijan during the reporting period amounted to 1 billion 283.7 million manats, marking a 2.9% decrease compared to the previous year.
Fuel production in Azerbaijan: Growth in gasoline and diesel
During the first three months of the year, the country produced 360.5 thousand tons of motor gasoline, which is 7.3% higher than the volume recorded in the first quarter of last year. Conversely, fuel oil (mazut) production saw a sharp decline, falling to 10 thousand tons, a 76.4% drop compared to the first three months of 2025.
The report further detailed that 8.4 thousand tons of lubricants and 33.4 thousand tons of petroleum bitumen were produced during this period. Compared to the corresponding period last year, lubricant production decreased by 8.7%, while petroleum bitumen production fell by 17.3%.
Regarding other petroleum derivatives, the country produced 46.8 thousand tons of liquefied gases, 125.8 thousand tons of kerosene, and 61.9 thousand tons of petroleum coke. Over the past year, petroleum coke production rose by 35.4%, whereas kerosene production decreased by 15.5% and liquefied gas production dropped by 17.8%.
Role of the SOCAR Oil Refinery in the national industry
The Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery, operating under the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), remains the sole oil processing facility in the region and plays a vital role in the national economy. The facility not only supplies Azerbaijan with AI-92 gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel but also provides essential raw materials to SOCAR's petrochemical enterprises in Azerbaijan. A portion of the refinery's output is also directed toward international export markets.
Currently, large-scale modernization and reconstruction efforts are underway at the refinery to increase production capacity and ensure the country is supplied with high-quality fuels meeting "Euro-5" standards. These works are of strategic importance for the industry in Azerbaijan, aiming to enhance the stable supply of raw materials to the "Azerikimya" Production Union and bolster the nation's petroleum export potential.
As a major global energy player, Azerbaijan continues to modernize its downstream sector to align with international environmental standards and market demands. The ongoing upgrades at the Baku-based refinery are central to the government's strategy to transition from a primary exporter of crude oil to a leading provider of high-value refined petroleum and petrochemical products in the Caspian region.
