The beginning
A Journey Towards Excellence
Over 45 years ago, Petromidia began to carve its history on the sea shores in Năvodari., The decision to locate the refinery here was made after an aerial survey determined that the current location met all essential conditions: proximity to the sea, a community that could be developed, and a vast available surface.
Anniversary concert of classic music
The 45th celebration marks our commitment to industrial excellence, innovation, and sustainable development, contributing significantly to both regional and national economies.
The anniversary proceedings involve a classical music concert at Constanta’s landmark cultural venue Oleg Danovski Theater, where the Royal Camerata Orchestra, conducted by Constantin Grigore will be accompanied by the Kazakh violinist Erzhan Kulibaev.
Read the full interview here.
The community of Navodari developed together with Petromidia
In the 1970s, the land that now hosts Petromidia was largely a swamp, but the ambition and hard work of thousands of people transformed it into one of the most modern refineries in Southeast Europe.
The development of Navodari community was closely linked to Petromidia
Navodari started as a small fishing village but grew significantly over time. In the '80s, it had 26,000 residents, and now it is one of the most important cities in Dobrogea, with 40,000 people living there.
It is not widely known that Petromidia occupies an area of 480 hectares, of which 37 hectares were recovered from the sea. The first pile marked the settlement on July 9, 1976. A considerable amount of effort was invested in ensuring the stability of the land under Petromidia, so that the entire structure can withstand an earthquake of nine degrees on the Richter scale.
The construction activities at the refinery spanned over 13 years, engaging approximately 5,000 to 6,000 workers in the process. The earliest facility, the Atmospheric Distillation Plant, was commissioned in 1979. Over time, Petromidia has grown to encompass 19 primary units and has established itself as Romania's largest refinery.
Chronology of the Petromidia Refinery
The first step
was taken
The Romanian State signs the founding decree for Intreprinderea Socialistă de Stat Combinatul Petrochimic Năvodari (The Năvodari Petrochemical Plant Socialist State Enterprise).
The first land consolidation
works began
In order to cover the entire area required to build the platform, 33 hectares were recovered from the sea. Sandy soil was a hard challenge for the engineers, but with the combined eforts of hundreds, the field was ready for what had to become one of the most important industrial points in Romania.
The year that
changed everything
In June 1979, the first installation from the plant was succesfully started: the „Air Distilation”, together with all the technological flow facilities: the crude oil tank, the gas tank and the diesel oil tank. Already in the first year there was a production of 1,25 milion tons of oil products and most of them were sold on the internal market.
The refinery develops more
and more each year
In 1982 were started the Hydrofining Gas System, Catalytic Gas Reforming Systems and the Gas Fractionation systems. We can already speak about a big unit.
A year away, aromatic extraction and
separation facilities were also started
Work starts at the sulfur recovery plant, an extremely important plant today, as the Petromidia refinery processes sulfurous crude oil from the Kazakh steppes.
Starting year for
catalytic cracking
One of the refinery's major facilities, which over time has seen several modernization works. Today, the catalytic cracking unit at Petromidia is considered one of the best in Europe.
The cooker unit was
put into operation
The xylene isomerization and paraxylene ethyl benzene and orthoxylins separation systems are put into operation. In the same year, the carbon-production plant was commisioned, and in the petrochemical sector started the DMT plant.
The beginnings of the
Petrochemicals Division
Pyrolysis installations, Polypropylene, High Density Polyethylenes (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylenes (LDPE) and Ethyl Benzene were started. By the end of 1988, 11,000 tons of polymers exited Petromidia gate, destined for the domestic market, most of the polymers being used for foil manufacturing.
3,6 milion tons of raw
materials processed
From an operational point of view, the Petromidia refinery exceeded for the second consecutive year the 3.6 million tons of processed raw materials step. It is the capacity that has been designed since the 1970s and integrates Petromidia into a refining network meant to process together over 30 million tons each year.
Petrochemical Midia was transformed
into the Petromidia trading company
Immediately after the fall of the communist regime, Petrochemical Midia was transformed into the Petromidia trading company. 70% of the shares go to the State Property Fund (FPS) and 30% to the Private Property Fund (FPP).
The facilities
were upgraded
However, the management of SC Petromidia had the courage to access a repayable loan amounting to 50 million USD, with the help of which, during 1992-1994, the facilities were upgraded. The credit can be considered a true saviour.
1999
After an unsuccessful privatization, the Navodari refinery was caught in an uncertain situation. Decreasing operating results (873,000 tons of crude oil), when the level dropped for the first time in history below the one million tons of crude oil, weighed in a less favorable image of the refinery.
Turning point
for Petromidia
On 20 October 2000, the refinery's turning point came as well. Rompetrol bought the state's shares, and Petromidia was going to enter a new era. The operational result returned to more than one million tons of crude oil processed, and a new look of the largest refinery in the country soon emerged.
Accelerated upgrading
of Petromidia
An ample process of accelerated restructuring and upgrading begins. The first step was the automation program by implementing Distributed Control Systems (DCS). Rompetrol Rafinare becomes the most modern refinery in Romania. The volume of processed raw materials doubles (2.3 million tons).
Refinery of the Year in Central
and Eastern Europe
Rompetrol Rafinare receives the title of "Refinery of the Year in Central and Eastern Europe" from the World Refining Association as a recognition of the success of the restructuring and modernization process. There is also a new installation that appeared: the In-Line Blending.
Command and Control Center of
the refinery is inaugurated
Rompetrol Rafinare was listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. The company is included, in the interest of investors and the positive evolution of the shares, in the selected BET index. Traded under the RRC name, it is one of the most liquid listed companies.
In the same year Petromidia’s Refinery Control and Control Center was put in place, being the only one of its kind at that time in Romania and Southeast Europe.
Increasing refining
capacity
The refinery successfully completes a new series of investments worth 30 million USD. Until 2009, the extensive modernization process amounted to approximately 200 million USD, resulting in a 30% increase in crude oil processing capacity.
The first refinery to produce
Euro 5 diesel fuels
Rompetrol Rafinare signs with DuPont a labor safety consultancy contract, a measure that strengthens the company's policy of achieving a very high level of security in its operations. At the same time, Petromidia becomes the first refinery in Romania to obtain Euro5 diesel (<10ppm), three years before the legal deadline for complying with European standards.
Rompetrol is taken
over by KazMunayGas
2007 is the year when 75% of the Rompetrol shares were taken over by KazMunayGas, the national oil and gas company in Kazakhstan. In the same year, Rompetrol Rafinare receives from Germanischer Lloyd - one of the most important bodies in the field - the certification of the Integrated Management System from the point of view of Health and Safety at Work.
Rompetrol Rafinare starts the
production of Euro 5 gasolines
The refining capacity upgrade program starts, in order to reach 5 million tons/year. The installations are also upgraded, one at a time, and Rompetrol Rafinare starts Euro5 gas production, after total investments in the fuel range of more than 40 million USD. The impact of the new investor is also favorable in the operational results: in 2008, the Petromidia refinery surpassed for the first time in history the 4 million tons of processed oil milestone (4.4 million tons).
KMG International becomes the
sole shareholder of Rompetrol
The majority shareholder acquires the remaining 25% of the shares. Thus, KazMunayGas, through KMG International, becomes the sole shareholder of Rompetrol, which includes, among other entities, two refineries (Petromidia Năvodari and Vega Ploieşti), Rompetrol Downstream and Rominserv.
Strategic partnership
with the Romanian state
The Romanian State became a significant shareholder of Rompetrol Rafinare (with 44,69%). Also an extensive investment program begins to increase the HDPE capacity by 70%.
It has also been possible to optimize costs and diversify the products from the Petrochemicals Division. Practically, we witnessed the successful integration of Petrochemical plants into the Petromidia Refinery Control and Control Center.
The refinery’s capacity building
program has been completed
The programme to increase processing capacity from 3.5 million tons to 5 million tons / year has been completed. The total investment amounted 380 million USD. The works were coordinated by Rominserv, and the whole process involved a stagering number of 280 companies and a total of 3,500 people.
Upgrading the
coking plant
KMGI presented a new successful investment of the refinery: upgrading the coking plant. Work done at over $ 50 million cost has led to an unity of the unit (90% reduction in technology consumption, an annual loss of about $ 3 million, and a reduction in energy consumption).
Petromidia reaches 5 million tons
of processed raw materials
The Petromidia refinery achieves a new record: it successfully passes the 5 million tons of processed raw materials milestone, a level achieved for the first time in history by a refinery in Romania. The exceptional result is directly linked to the investment package allocated by KMGI to increase production capacity. In the same year, new sorts of PP and LDPE are being developed at the Petrochemical Division.
Best Energy Efficiency
Index - 98.6%
Rompetrol Rafinare continues its upward trend, amid constant investment from KMG International. There were recorded: the highest quantity of raw materials processed daily (over 15,000 tons), the highest yield for white products (85.7%) and the best Energetic Efficiency Index (98.6%).
Record production
of fuels
2016 is the best year in history to that point. The record gasoline production (1.25 million tons) and diesel (2.25 million tons) were achieved at the lowest costs for the last 10 years, proof of the efficiency of the Petromidia 2010 investment package. The operational profit of Rompetrol Rafinare amounted to 182 million dollars.
Rompetrol celebrates 15 years of
presence as a brand on foreign markets
Rompetrol celebrates its 15th anniversary since it has begun its presence as a brand on foreign markets, such as Bulgaria or the Republic of Moldova. In 2017, the fuel stations network in the subsidiary countries counted 134 units, and the investments made by KMGI outside Romania were over 50 million USD. Stations in countries like Bulgaria, the Republic of Moldova or Georgia work, overwhelmingly, with fuel produced at the Petromidia refinery.
11 new operational
records
Petromidia achieves 11 new operational records and manages to get close to 6 million tons of processed raw materials (5.92 million tons). Exceptional operational results, amid a more efficient activity, give hope for new records in the year Petromidia celebrated 4 decades. The economic impact of Rompetrol Rafinare in 2018 it contributed to Romania’s State Budget with more than 1.5 bilion dollars.
Petromidia. Four decades
of existence
Petromidia refinery celebrates 40 years of existence. In the four decades we saw a refinery starting from a plant and reaching 19 functional and performant units. At the same time, during the 40 years, the refinery experienced tumultuous, but successful times, especially during the 12 years that have passed since the takeover of KazMunayGas.
Cogeneration Plant
The Kazakh-Romanian Energy Investment Fund signed with Calik Enerji (Turkey) the EPC contract for the turnkey construction of the cogeneration plant on the Petromidia platform.
KazMunayGas Anniversary
Rompetrol celebrates 15 years within the National Oil&Gas Company of Kazakhstan - KazMunayGas.
Maintenance of the marine terminal
Midia Marine Terminal has completed the turnaround of the offshore marine terminal, which ensures the supply of raw materials to the Petromidia refinery.
Petromidia's Anniversary
Rompetrol is celebrating the 45th anniversary of the commissioning of the Petromidia Refinery, currently the largest refinery in Romania and one of the most technologically advanced in Southeast Europe. This moment marks Rompetrol's commitment to sustainable development, with significant company contributions to the regional and national economy and support for local communities.
Interesting details
- In order to secure the labour force at the beginning, employees from similar complexes from all over Romania were transferred to Constanta.
- Circulation into the factory was done by foot, with personal bicycles or with the platform bicycles – about 200 bicycles.
- The first Felix computer was seen in 1985, and the first Internet connection was in the commercial manager’s office, in 1992.
- The platform is surrounded by an underground wall, 80-100 centimetres wide and 4.5 metres high, which has the role of retaining any leaks of petroleum products which might accidentally go into the soil; migration into the sea or into the lake is thus avoided.
- In order to maintain the constant level of the groundwater below the platform, there is a special system of drainage networks and special drainage stations.
- The water needed by the platform is pumped from the Danube-Black Sea Canal, by means of a pumping station located 30 km from the platform.
Post communism period
The initial goal for constructing this facility was to establish a vertically integrated industry encompassing textiles, petrochemicals, rubber, coatings, and chemical fertilizers, with crude serving as the foundational element.
From 1990 to 2000, there was a significant reorganization of markets on both domestic and international levels, leading to reduced demand for the raw materials used in synthetic yarn and fiber manufacturing. Consequently, the focus of the industrial complex shifted towards fuel and polymer production.
Petromidia has undergone many changes over the years, adapting to market and technological shifts.
From the early days of employees using bicycles and the first Felix computer in 1985 to the launch of an automated command and control center in 2005, the refinery has always shown a strong dedication to innovation and sustainability. The command and control center is built like a fortress, being able to resist severe natural disasters, such as earthquakes.
The largest Romanian refinery
The refinery's capacity has increased to 5 million tons thanks to continuous upgrades funded by its sole shareholder, KazMunayGas.
This has strengthened its position as a national and regional leader. The refinery has a high complexity index and can process high-sulfur crude oil into Euro 5 products only.
Petromidia operates in synergy with Vega, the Group's other refinery, which receives semi-finished products from Petromidia and turns them into value-added products. Vega is the only local producer of road bitumen and polymer-modified bitumen.
Petromidia refinery operates the only petrochemical unit in Romania.
The refinery has a marine terminal launched in 2008, located 8.6 km from the Port of Midia. The terminal delivers crude oil to the refinery through onshore and offshore pipelines.
Petromidia showed its ability to adapt continuously, especially in 2020, when it faced the COVID-19 pandemic. The refinery produced a new petrochemical sort, which was used for the filtering material in protective masks.
After struggling with market volatility and financial losses for many years, Rompetrol had one of its best years in 2022.
Petromidia is a significant industrial player in the region, breaking new production records. It supplies not only fuels but also products and raw materials for various industries and goods, both domestically and internationally.
In 2023, the refinery supplied two-thirds of its production to the local market, supporting the mobility of millions of drivers, as well as the functioning of many local industries.
Today, Petromidia remains a symbol of industrial excellence and sustainable development, a socially engaged actor through the jobs it creates and its community investments, significantly contributing to the regional and national economy and, importantly, to Europe's energy security.
Petromidia – 45 of years of development, innovation and performance
The refinery's story is the story of a committed and professional community, made up of people who, across generations, passed on the values that turned Petromidia from a project into a key industrial platform for the whole country.
Petromidia: Leader in the Refining Industry
“Petromidia is the largest local producer of fuels, the biggest refinery, and the sole producer of petrochemicals in the country. Today, we supply Romania with over two-v thirds of Euro 5 fuels. We are proud to be a leading local producer, an important contributor to the state budget, and a significant employer.”
– Florian Pop, General Manager of Rompetrol Rafinare.
140 million USD strategic investments in Petromidia and Petrochemicals
“2024 has been an important year for investments in the refinery, not only at the Petromidia platform but also in the petrochemical sector and Vega, with a total investment of 140 million USD. Beyond all investments, modernizations, digitalization, or green deals, it is the people behind it all, and without them, nothing would be possible.”
– Cristian Bolohan, Project and Investment Director, Rompetrol.
Petromidia: Diversified supply chain with a atrategic role in the region
“Thanks to its strategic positioning on the Black Sea, our refinery benefits from a continuous supply of crude oil, further secured by the unloading operations at the Midia Marine Terminal. In the Port of Midia, we have oil berths where products can be loaded for Rompetrol Group subsidiaries in Moldova, Bulgaria, Georgia, and the Mediterranean market.”
– Rodica Brăiescu, Supply Chain Manager, Rompetrol Rafinare.
Evolution and innovation at Rompetrol through the 2008-2012 investment program
“I started my journey at Rompetrol in 2006, as a result of the internship program from that year. The project that helped me evolve was the investment program from 2008- 2012, which included the implementation of the 'Delfin' project. This involved collaboration between departments and generated solutions for the development of new products: the transition from Euro 4 to Euro 5 fuels, the production of new polymer grades in petrochemicals, and the expansion of the product portfolio at the Vega refinery.”
- Anca Diaconița, Process Engineering Director, Rompetrol Rafinare.
15 Years of performance: Over 700 tankers and 61 million tons of crude oil transited through Midia Marine Terminal
“In the last 15 years, over 700 tankers and over 61 million tons of crude oil have been unloaded through this terminal, fueling Petromidia, and it is the merit of my fellow professional divers who dedicate their activity out in the Black Sea to operate this terminal every day.”
- Mihai Brinzoi, General Manager of Midia Marine Terminal.