Three Pakistan refineries sign upgrade agreements under brownfield policy

Pakistan’s Attock Refinery Ltd., National Refinery Ltd. and Cnergyico Pk Ltd. signed refinery upgrade agreements Thursday in Islamabad with Inter State Gas Systems to modernize existing facilities under the government’s brownfield refinery policy, aimed at improving efficiency, fuel quality and domestic refining capacity.

What are Pakistan’s refinery upgrade agreements?

The refinery upgrade agreements provide the framework for Attock Refinery, National Refinery and Cnergyico to modernize their existing facilities under Pakistan’s brownfield refinery policy. The projects are intended to improve refinery efficiency and product quality while enabling the production of Euro-V standard fuels in Pakistan.

The agreements were signed with Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Ltd. (ISGS), which has been mandated and nominated by the Petroleum Division as the implementation entity for the refinery upgrade program.

Cnergyico said in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange that it signed its Upgradation Agreement with ISGS on Sept. 24.

The signing followed the Economic Coordination Committee’s approval of the Draft Upgrade Agreement under the Pakistan Oil Refining Policy for Upgradation of Existing/Brownfield Refineries, 2023, as amended in August 2026.

The agreements provide for the implementation of approved refinery upgrade projects in accordance with the terms and conditions of the government’s policy.

Attock Refinery said signing the agreement marked a significant milestone in its efforts to modernize and upgrade its existing refinery infrastructure.

The company said the planned upgrades are aimed at improving operational efficiency, enhancing product quality and enabling the production of Euro-V standard fuels.

National Refinery said the agreement marked a breakthrough in its efforts to modernize its existing refinery infrastructure, contribute to a more sustainable and secure energy future and strengthen Pakistan’s supply-chain resilience.

Why are Pakistan’s refineries being upgraded?

Pakistan’s refinery upgrades are intended to modernize aging infrastructure, improve the quality and efficiency of domestically produced fuels and reduce reliance on imported refined petroleum products.

The government introduced the brownfield refinery policy to encourage investment in existing refineries and support modernization of Pakistan’s refining sector.

The policy was introduced in 2023 and amended in February 2024 and again in August 2026.

Cnergyico said it remained committed to upgrading and modernizing its refinery in line with the objectives of the policy and welcomed the government’s efforts to facilitate modernization of the refining sector.

The signing ceremony was held in Islamabad and attended by representatives of the government and participating refineries.

What does Pakistan’s brownfield refinery policy aim to achieve?

The brownfield refinery policy is designed to support investment in existing refinery infrastructure while improving the quality and efficiency of domestic fuel production.

For Pakistan’s refining sector, the upgrades are intended to address aging facilities, improve fuel standards and strengthen domestic refining capacity.

The refinery upgrade agreements signed by Attock Refinery, National Refinery and Cnergyico allow their approved modernization projects to proceed under the terms of the government’s policy.