Yemen Oil Refinery Company (YORC) is one of the most crucial economic oil facilities in Yemen and an important, strategic subsidiary of the Ministry of Oil and Minerals. Not only that, it is a fundamental base for technically operating oil refineries. In 1998, YORC started to operate and run Ma’reb Refinery, after the latter was handed over by HUNT Yemen Company. YORC shoulders the responsibility of drafting policies and plans with respect to refining industries and of supervising any similar industries of public or private nature.

YORC was founded in 1996 in accordance with the Republican Decree No.  46/1996 as a subsidiary of the Yemen General Corporation for Oil & Gas. Among its top priorities is training and qualifying the Yemeni manpower to substitute expatriates, which made it operate with 100% locals.

In a very short time, it was capable of accomplishing outstanding feats. In order to meet its tremendous responsibilities and carry out its crucial role in this vital arena, it has made plans to attract foreign investment companies to step in and take part in the oil and petrochemical industries. To achieve this, along with conducting relevant studies and researches, it communicated and is still doing so with a number of international companies and organizations. 

YORC’s Tasks and Responsibilities

YORC commits itself to the following:

• Operating and administrating Ma’reb Refinery since 1998;

• Designing programs to increase and develop production capacity;

• Upgrading and expanding its existing refining plants and installing new ones, if necessary;

• Supervising and monitoring refining operations and marketing of oil derivatives;

• Ensuring that oil derivatives measure up to domestic and international standards and specifications;

• Developing its staff skills in the technical and administrative fields;

• Improving and applying industrial safety and security principles and systems for refineries in Yemen;

• Making technical and economic studies and researches on investment projects relevant to refining, oil, gas, and petrochemicals industries along with promoting investment inflow in this field and supervising such activities; 

• Partaking in oil refining industry and petrochemicals investment projects by means of being a partner representing the government in the private sector;

• Carrying out those policies and plans which aim at securing the local market’s needs of oil derivatives and laying out policies for the possibility of exporting surplus quantities;

• Executing any other related assignments dealt with in accordance with the company’s articles of association, laws, regulations and decisions in effect.

Advantages Offered to YORC:

YORC enjoys tremendous advantages, which enable it to carry out its tasks in the most accurate manner and to achieve its objectives. It has the privilege to:

• Export the surplus of oil derivatives and in case there is shortage and upon the decision of the board of directors, import such derivatives;
• Conduct technical studies on availing maintenance through providing up-to-date technical equipment and devices;
• Exchange investment and technical expertise with local and non-local counterparts;
• Coordinate plans appertaining to the policy of distributing oil products and derivatives on respective agencies;

• YORC is entitled to all incentives and exemptions stipulated by the Yemeni Investment Law and By-Laws;
• When bidding for any tenders or entering any contracts, YORC need not provide guarantees or warranties to respective ministries, public bodies or institutions.