Germany intends to stop closing refineries Germany has said it will try to stop the decline in oil refining capacity, arguing that plant closures harm not only fuel suppliers and consumers, but also the country's vast chemical sector. "Whoever loses the refinery will lose not only the supply to the gas station, but mainly the chemical complex," said Economy Minister Katrina Reicha. Europe has been shrinking its expensive refining sector for years. But that has left the region increasingly dependent on imports of products like diesel and jet fuel — a vulnerability now exposed by geopolitical supply shocks and rising prices. When refineries close, "more products are imported, prices go up and there are risk premiums associated with maintaining supplies," Reisha said. The government aims to develop a new strategy for the development of oil refining by the beginning of next year.