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CORAF Oil Refinery
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Industrial site
The CORAF Oil Refinery (Congolaise de Raffinage) in Pointe-Noire is the only facility of its kind in the Republic of Congo. Since its establishment in 1982, it has processed a portion of the country's crude oil production into fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene, as well as butane gas for the domestic market. A subsidiary of the national oil company SNPC, the refinery plays a pivotal role in national energy security. Despite its strategic importance, technical constraints and maintenance requirements mean it does not always meet total domestic demand, occasionally necessitating fuel imports. In recent years, modernization programs have been initiated to increase processing capacity and enhance the quality of refined products to meet international standards. CORAF also serves as a major training ground for Congolese engineers and technicians within the petrochemical sector.
- Location: Congo - Brazzaville
- Top sights: Play Games · City games jackpot · Apollo games casino
- Nearby: Kimongo (81 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
| Rain mm | 136 | 138 | 145 | 121 | 70 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 87 | 167 | 133 |
📋 Practical info
What is this place?
This massive facility serves as the primary national oil refinery in Pointe-Noire, playing a critical role in processing and securing the domestic fuel supply for the entire country's economy.
Visiting
As a high-security strategic industrial site, access to the interior of the refinery is strictly prohibited for general tourists, though the impressive scale of the exterior infrastructure is visible from afar.
Where to view it
The best vantage points to observe the sprawling industrial complex and its towering flare stacks are typically found along the approaching public roads and designated safe zones on the outskirts of Pointe-Noire.
Local products
While the refinery itself does not sell direct-to-consumer goods, its steady production guarantees the availability of fuel products that power local transportation, regional markets, and the broader commercial activities of the port city.
Active season
The refinery operates continuously throughout the year with a relentless twenty-four-hour schedule, meaning its industrial hum, dynamic lighting, and flaring activities can be witnessed by passersby regardless of the tourist season.
Nearby
A brief drive past the facility can easily be combined with exploring the bustling urban core of Pointe-Noire, visiting the bustling coastal beaches, or observing the immense shipping logistics at the city's bustling deep-water seaport.
Geography
Facts
- The refinery commenced operations in December 1982.
- It has a theoretical processing capacity of approximately 1.2 million tons of crude oil per year.
- CORAF is 100% owned by the Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC).
- The facility is located in close proximity to the deep-water port of Pointe-Noire.
- It produces primarily for the Congolese domestic market.
- The refinery is supplied directly from oil terminals via pipelines.
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Sights in the town CORAF Oil Refinery (5)
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Frequently asked questions
What is CORAF?
The only oil refinery in the Republic of the Congo, located in Pointe-Noire.
What is produced there?
Fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene for the domestic market.
Is a visit possible?
As a strategic facility, tourist access is strictly prohibited.
What is its importance for the country?
It ensures the national supply of processed petroleum products.
Where exactly is the refinery located?
In the industrial zone near the port of Pointe-Noire.
CORAF Oil Refinery: where is it located?
CORAF Oil Refinery is located in Congo - Brazzaville.
CORAF Oil Refinery: what is there to see?
Highlights include Play Games, City games jackpot, Apollo games casino.
CORAF Oil Refinery: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
CORAF Oil Refinery: why is it worth visiting?
The CORAF Oil Refinery (Congolaise de Raffinage) in Pointe-Noire is the only facility of its kind in the Republic of Congo.
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History & landmarks
Pointe-Noire Railway Station
Pointe-Noire Railway Station is the western rail terminus of the CFCO line.
Port of Pointe-Noire
One of the most significant deep-water ports in Central Africa and the economic heart of the region.
Agostinho-Neto Airport Terminal
The terminal of the country's second most important airport in the port city of Pointe-Noire.
Nature
More places
🗺️
Pointe-Noire Deep Water Port
The most important seaport in Central Africa and the gateway for the Republic of the Congo's international trade.
🗺️
Pointe-Indienne Turtle Nesting Sites
Beaches near Pointe-Noire where sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.
Moho-Nord Offshore Oil Field
A massive deep-water oil field in the Atlantic, accounting for a significant portion of current Congolese production.
🗺️
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean shapes Congo's western coast and port access.
Djeno Oil Terminal
The largest oil terminal in the Republic of the Congo, located south of Pointe-Noire on the Atlantic coast.
Loango Slave Trade Port
A historical site on the coast from which millions of people were shipped during the transatlantic slave trade.
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Diosso Gorges
Spectacular red rock cliffs and erosion landscapes near the coast, often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Congo.
Loango Bay
A historical bay on the Atlantic coast with great ecological significance.