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Peten Oil Refinery

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Industrial site
—°1
Peten Oil Refinery (Guatemala)

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The oil industry in Petén is centered on exploration and extraction at the Xan field, Guatemala's most productive oil reservoir located within the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Since the discovery of significant reserves in the 1970s, the region has developed into a strategic energy hub, with crude oil transported via a 475-kilometer pipeline to the Atlantic port of Santo Tomás de Castilla. Near La Libertad, partial refining facilities operate to produce asphalt and fuels for regional industrial needs. The industry faces the ongoing challenge of balancing resource extraction with the preservation of unique rainforest ecosystems. Guatemala exports the majority of its heavy crude oil to international markets while importing refined products for domestic consumption. Revenue from oil production is channeled through the state fund FONPETROL into infrastructure projects and social development programs across northern departments. Technological advancements in drilling have allowed operators to stabilize production levels despite the region's complex geological characteristics.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C222426292926262626252322
Rain mm93585146145269189242307257153110

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
The Peten Oil Refinery is a facility for processing locally extracted crude oil in Guatemala. It supplies the region with fuels and petrochemical products.
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Visiting
The refinery is not open to visitors for security reasons. From the access road you can see the tanks and parts of the equipment.
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Where to view it
A viewpoint is located on the main road near the plant site. From there you have a good view of the refinery and the surrounding landscape.
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Local products
There are no sales outlets directly at the refinery. In nearby towns, however, local handicrafts and food are offered.
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Active season
The refinery operates continuously throughout the year. Particularly high utilization occurs in the dry season, when crude oil extraction is easier.
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Nearby
The refinery can be combined with a visit to the Maya site of Tikal and Lake Petén Itzá. The city of Flores is also a good stop.

Geography

Coordinates
16.50000, -90.20000

Facts

  • The Xan field provides over 90% of the country's total oil production
  • The oil pipeline to Santo Tomás de Castilla spans 475 kilometers
  • Guatemala produces approximately 8,000 to 10,000 barrels of crude daily
  • Petroleum reserves are located deep beneath the Petén rainforest
  • Most facilities are operated by international energy corporations
  • The industry produces asphalt used for road construction across Central America

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Sierra de las NubesSierra de las Nubes<1 km · EExplore →
ChiquimulillaChiquimulilla2 km · NEExplore →
EdznáEdzná3 km · SExplore →
Quetzal BiotopeQuetzal Biotope4 km · SExplore →
SayaxchéSayaxché7 km · NExplore →
Bridge of the SlavesBridge of the Slaves9 km · SExplore →
La Libertad (Petén)La Libertad (Petén)9 km · NExplore →
Dos Pilas RuinsDos Pilas Ruins10 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Peten Oil Refinery (1)

Sayaxché📍 landmark

A town in the Petén department of Guatemala, located on the banks of the La Pasión River.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the refinery in Petén?
No, it is a high-security zone with strictly prohibited access for unauthorized persons.
Where does the oil come from?
The oil is extracted directly in the fields of Petén, often near the Mexican border.
Are there environmental regulations for the operation?
Yes, since Petén is an important biosphere reserve, particularly strict protection regulations apply.
What is primarily produced there?
Mainly asphalt for road construction and fuels for local needs.
Are the facilities visible from the road?
Flares and large tanks are partially visible, but the main facilities are mostly shielded.
Peten Oil Refinery: where is it located?
Peten Oil Refinery is located in Guatemala.
Peten Oil Refinery: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
Peten Oil Refinery: why is it worth visiting?
The oil industry in Petén is centered on exploration and extraction at the Xan field, Guatemala's most productive oil reservoir located within the Maya Biosphere Reserve.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

San Benito — Peten Oil Refinery (Guatemala)
San Benito
A city on Lake Petén Itzá that has merged with Flores.
Flores — Peten Oil Refinery (Guatemala)
Flores
Picturesque island town on Lake Petén Itzá, capital of Petén department.
Poptún — Peten Oil Refinery (Guatemala)
Poptún
A city in southern Petén, surrounded by pine forests.
Melchor de Mencos — Peten Oil Refinery (Guatemala)
Melchor de Mencos
Important border town with Belize in the Petén department.
Sayaxché — Peten Oil Refinery (Guatemala)
Sayaxché
Town on the Río de la Pasión, a gateway to Maya sites like Ceibal.
La Libertad (Petén) — Peten Oil Refinery (Guatemala)
La Libertad (Petén)
A large, sprawling municipality in the heart of Petén.
San Andrés — Peten Oil Refinery (Guatemala)
San Andrés
Village on the shore of Lake Petén Itzá.

Nature

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Pasión River
An important river in Petén, serving as a transport route to many Maya sites like Ceibal and Aguateca.
Lake Petén Itzá — Peten Oil Refinery (Guatemala)
Lake Petén Itzá
A large, deep lake in the heart of the Petén Basin, with the city of Flores on an island.
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Usumacinta River
A major river forming the border between Guatemala and Mexico, known for Maya sites along its banks.

More places

Petexbatún Kingdom — Peten Oil Refinery (Guatemala)
Petexbatún Kingdom
An aggressive Maya kingdom in the Late Classic period, centered around Dos Pilas and Aguateca.
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Peten Cattle Ranchlands
Wide grazing lands in Peten where cattle ranching and rural work shape daily life.
Dos Pilas Ruins — Peten Oil Refinery (Guatemala)
Dos Pilas Ruins
A Maya capital that was involved in a bitter war with Tikal.
Ceibal Ruins — Peten Oil Refinery (Guatemala)
Ceibal Ruins
A major Maya site on the Pasión River, known for its fine stelae and ceremonial architecture.
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Ceibal Forest Reserve
The forest area surrounding the Ceibal archaeological site, rich in ceiba trees.
Las Guacamayas Biological Station — Peten Oil Refinery (Guatemala)
Las Guacamayas Biological Station
A jungle station on the river with a strong focus on birds, monkeys, and forest protection.
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Maya Biosphere Reserve
A vast forest area in the Petén Basin, encompassing the largest tropical forest areas in Guatemala.
San Carlos Fort — Peten Oil Refinery (Guatemala)
San Carlos Fort
A small fort on the island of Flores, built to protect against pirates.