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.