Plizio Visual Lab

SOGARA Oil Refinery

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Société Gabonaise de Raffinage (SOGARA) is Gabon's sole petroleum refinery, located in the industrial zone of Port-Gentil. It was officially inaugurated in November 1967 to reduce the nation's reliance on imported refined fuels. The refinery primarily processes locally extracted crude oil into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and butane gas for the domestic market. With an annual processing capacity of approximately 1.2 million tons, it plays a pivotal role in the country's energy security. The facility is operated by a consortium involving the Gabonese state and international partners such as TotalEnergies. In recent years, significant investments have been made to enhance the efficiency of distillation units and to lower sulfur emissions in accordance with international standards. Despite the challenges posed by aging infrastructure, SOGARA remains a strategic cornerstone of national economic development and industrial autonomy.

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	28	28	28	27	25	24	24	25	26	26	27
Rain mm	204	205	281	258	172	20	3	7	54	263	341	210

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The SOGARA refinery is Gabon's only oil refinery, supplying the domestic market with fuels. It plays a strategically important role for the country's energy independence and economic stability.

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Visiting

The refinery premises are not accessible to the public for security reasons. However, the facilities and the flare are clearly visible from the surrounding streets outside.

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Where to view it

A good viewpoint is the coastal road south of Libreville, from where the refinery and its tanks are visible. From the nearby tanker jetty, there is also an excellent view of the facility.

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Local products

The refinery primarily produces gasoline, diesel and kerosene for the local market. By-products such as bitumen or liquefied gas are also manufactured and used in Gabon.

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Active season

The refinery operates year-round, with maintenance typically taking place during quieter months. Production runs continuously to ensure the country's fuel supply.

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Nearby

Combine the visit with a drive along the coast to the beaches of Libreville. The nearby port of Owendo also makes for a worthwhile stop to observe the transshipment of petroleum products.