The Tuapse oil refinery, located on the Black Sea coast of Russia, is one of the largest and most modern refineries in the country. It is owned by Rosneft, the state-controlled oil giant that is a key player in Russia’s energy sector. The refinery processes crude oil from western Siberia and the Caspian Sea, and produces a range of products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, bitumen, and petrochemicals.
The refinery has been targeted by Ukrainian drones, as part of the ongoing war between the two countries. Since January 2024, Ukraine has launched a series of attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, using small but devastating drones that can evade air defense systems and deliver explosives to strategic locations. The aim is to disrupt Russia’s oil and gas supplies and exports, and to inflict economic damage on its adversary.
On January 25, a major fire broke out at the Tuapse refinery, following a suspected Ukrainian drone strike. The fire in the refinery’s vacuum distillation unit broke out around midnight local time, and was extinguished about 5 am. The regional Tuapse administration said that there were no casualties or injuries. Rosneft was not immediately available for comment.
Unconfirmed local media reports showed videos of a large fire and reported sightings of drones by local citizens. If confirmed, the drone strike would be the latest in a major push by Ukraine to hit fuel and energy export facilities deep inside Russian territory. Previous targets included oil and gas terminals in Ust-Luga, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Tagil, Oryol, and Klintsy.
The timeline for restarting the Tuapse refinery is unclear at this point. The refinery has a capacity of 240,000 barrels per day (b/d), and accounts for about 6% of Russia’s total refining output. According to S&P Global Platts, the refinery was operating at about 80% of its capacity before the fire. The impact of the fire on the refinery’s production and exports is yet to be assessed.
The Tuapse refinery is also an important source of employment for the local population. According to Rosneft’s website, the refinery employs more than 3,000 people, and supports another 10,000 jobs indirectly through its contractors and suppliers. The refinery also contributes to the social and economic development of the region, by paying taxes, sponsoring social projects, and providing charitable assistance.
Rosneft is one of the largest employers in Russia’s oil and gas sector, with more than 400,000 employees across its subsidiaries and affiliates. The company offers various job opportunities for professionals in different fields, such as engineering, geology, finance, management, logistics, and security. Rosneft also provides training and development programs for its staff, as well as scholarships and internships for students.