Background:
The Ashdod Refinery commenced operations in 1973, after three years of construction, in order to meet the needs of the Israeli market which exceeded the production capacity of the Haifa Refinery.
The refinery is located 4 kms north of the city of Ashdod. The decision to construct a new refinery on the sand dunes north of Ashdod was based on the following considerations: available land, geographical dispersion of refining industries due to security risks, centrally located in the heart of the country’s area of consumption, occupational opportunities for Ashdod which absorbed many waves of new immigrants, proximity to the Pi Glilot fuel depot and the Eshkol power plant.
Today, a pipeline connects the refinery to the national fuel pipeline, the crude oil Eilat-Ashkelon pipeline and two Israel Electric Company sea lines in Ashdod.
The Ashdod Refinery is connected to the national gas pipelines and uses LPG to heat its furnaces. The use of natural gas significantly reduces the emission of contaminants to the environment, and is economical in energy costs.
An electric and steam plant is planned for construction on the site of the refinery, which will also be based on natural gas. The plant is scheduled to enter into operation in mid-2008.

Milestones
1992 - Construction of catalytic crack and sulfur recovery unit completed
2003 - HDS (hydro-desulfurization) unit and truck loading terminal for distillates were constructed; catalytic cracker upgraded.
2002-2005 - Over USD 13 million invested in environmental protection: reduction of emissions of contaminants; treatment of sewage and prevention of marine pollution; treatment of groundwater, soil and hazardous materials. Preparations are made to connect to the natural gas pipeline and use natural gas to reduce production costs.
2006 – Paz, Israel’s largest fuel company, was awarded the tender to purchase the Refinery from the State, and paid approximately NIS 3.25 billions for full ownership of Israel’s second largest oil refinery.

Figures
The Ashdod Refinery has a production capacity of 4 million tons of crude per year.
Scope of gasoline production is estimated at one million tons per year.
Scope of gasoil production is estimated at 1.3 million tons per year.
Scope of LPG production is estimated at 250,000 tons per year
Scope of jet fuel production is estimated at 300,000 tons per year
Scope of fuel oil production is estimated at 1.3 million tons per year.
The refinery has a storage capacity of 700,000 m3.
Refinery site: 1100 dunams
Number of employees: 230