Refining capacity expansions in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey are adding to the strain on regional water resources. MEES estimates show refiners will have to find an additional 2.35mn cmd (14.8mn b/d) of water to support the extra 1.33mn b/d of refining capacity due onstream to 2020.

The MENA region’s refining expansion to 2020 will add 11.7% to the industry’s water use. Two-thirds of this expansion will come in the GCC region, where the increase over the five years to 2020 will be 17.4%. Refining is competing for water with strong domestic consumption growth as well as rising demand from other industries. (CONTINUED - 1311 WORDS)