MoE, Chinese State-owned energy firms cooperate on Thanbayakan Refinery Project

24 January 2026

THE Ministry of Energy is collaborating with State-owned energy institutions from the People’s Republic of China in implementing the Thanbayakan Refinery Project, which has a production capacity of two million tonnes of crude oil per year.

The project will utilize crude oil from the Myanmar-China crude oil pipeline. It is expected to meet domestic fuel demand upon completion.

Similarly, once the ongoing Thanlyin Oil Refinery project is complete, Project Phase II will be developed into a crude oil plant with an annual capacity of three million tonnes in 2028.

Furthermore, a plan to capture carbon dioxide produced as a by-product of the oil refining process to manufacture dry ice is underway to reduce foreign currency outflow. Equipment to produce dry ice will be installed as soon as possible.

The Myanmar delegation, led by the Union Minister for Energy U Ko Ko Lwin, met a delegation led by the chair of the China National Oil & Gas Exploration and Development Corporation (CNODC) at the CNODC hall in Beijing, regarding Myanmar-China energy cooperation matters. They discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in the oil and natural gas sector

The Myanmar delegation also visited the State-owned BGP company that manufactures equipment for geophysical exploration and oil exploration during the visit.

They observed practical measurement operations using 3D seismic technology, oil and natural gas exploration technologies, and the manufacturing of tools and instruments used in seismic survey operations. — ASH/KK