BP has announced its intention to sell its Ruhr Oel GmbH – BP Gelsenkirchen operation in Germany. The sale process, which will begin immediately, includes the bp refinery in Gelsenkirchen and DHC Solvent Chemie GmbH in Mülheim an der Ruhr. BP aims to finalize sales agreements in 2025, with completion of the sale contingent upon regulatory and governmental approvals.

The Gelsenkirchen site represents two plants in Horst and Scholven, as well as the Bottrop tank farm. It operates as an integrated refining and petrochemical complex with a substantial processing capacity of approximately twelve million tonnes of crude oil annually. The refinery produces a wide range of products, including petrol, diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, and over 50 other products primarily serving the chemical industry. Its strategic location within the North Rhine-Westphalia chemical cluster further underscores its importance to the region's economy.

The sale includes not only the refinery and DHC Solvent Chemie GmbH but also Ruhr Oel GmbH’s share in the Maatschap Europort Terminal (MET) in the Netherlands, its ownership of DHC Solvent Chemie GmbH, and its shares in the N.V. Rotterdam-Rijn-Pijplining (RRP) crude oil and product pipeline and Nord-West Oelleitung GmbH (NWO), which includes pipelines, crude oil tanks, tank farms, and unloading points.

BP's decision to divest the Gelsenkirchen operation comes after a thorough review of its global portfolio. Emma Delaney, EVP, customers & products at BP, explained that the company is continually managing its assets to achieve a simpler, more focused, and higher-value profile. Delaney emphasized that BP believes a new owner is better positioned to unlock the full potential of the site.

The company has invested significantly in modernizing the refinery's infrastructure in recent years, including upgrades to the power grid and steam supply, ensuring its ability to meet the demands of contemporary refinery operations. A transformation initiative launched in 2024 is further reducing the refinery’s complexity and processing capacity while enhancing its ability to process a variety of crude oils, produce high-quality fuels, and potentially manufacture biofuels and process recycled plastics.

Patrick Wendeler, chief executive of BP Europa SE, highlighted the significant investments made to modernize the Gelsenkirchen site, emphasizing its current production capabilities and strategic location. He believes these factors, combined with a highly qualified team, offer substantial potential to a new owner. The site currently employs around 2,000 people and provides apprenticeships to 160 individuals.