Digboi Refinery – Asia’s Oldest Operating Oil Refinery And Birthplace Of India’s Petroleum Industry

Historical Background

The discovery of oil in Digboi dates back to 1889, when Italian engineers, working for the Assam Railways and Trading Company (AR&T Co.), accidentally struck oil while constructing a railway line from Dibrugarh to Margherita. This accidental find soon led to the drilling of India’s first commercial oil well, making Digboi the birthplace of India’s petroleum industry. The refinery was established by the Assam Oil Company Ltd. in 1901, making it the oldest refinery in Asia and one of the oldest continuously operating refineries in the world.

Initially managed by the Assam Oil Company under Burmah Oil, the refinery became part of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) on October 14, 1981, forming the Assam Oil Division of IOCL. Since then, it has undergone multiple modernization projects, maintaining both its historical significance and technological excellence.

Refinery Capacity and Modernization

At its inception, the Digboi Refinery had a capacity of just 500 barrels per day, which grew to 0.5 MMTPA in 1940. Through successive upgrades — including the installation of a Delayed Coking Unit (1999), a Solvent Dewaxing Unit (2003), and a Hydrotreater Unit (2003) — the capacity was enhanced to 0.65 MMTPA. It was the first refinery in IOCL to produce BS-VI compliant fuels.

The refinery produces a range of essential petroleum products such as:

• Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

• Motor Spirit (MS)

• High-Speed Diesel (HSD)

• Paraffin Wax and Bitumen

• Low Sulphur Heavy Stock (LSHS) and Furnace Oil (FO)

The Paraffin Wax produced here is renowned globally for its high purity and quality.

Digboi: A Heritage Industrial Town

The town of Digboi beautifully preserves its colonial-era charm, complete with vintage bungalows, tree-lined roads, and an 18-hole golf course. The Digboi Centenary Museum nearby showcases the evolution of India’s petroleum history. The refinery’s landscape, surrounded by biodiversity and tea gardens, makes Digboi an ideal destination for industrial tourism and heritage travel in Assam.

How to Reach Digboi Refinery

Entry and Visiting Information of Digboi Refinery

Where to Stay in Digboi

For tourists and visitors, Digboi offers several comfortable accommodation options:

• Galaxy Hotel, 80 ft Road, Police Point Chariali

• Oil Guest House (IOCL) – For officials and invited visitors

• Hotel Bluebell, Tinsukia (nearby, 40 km)

• Digboi Club Guest House – Colonial heritage stay with golf view

Nearby Tourist Attractions

• Digboi Centenary Oil Museum

• Digboi Golf Course

• Margherita Coal Museum

• Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary

• Lekhapani WWII Cemetery

Upcoming Developments

The refinery is being expanded to 1.0 MMTPA capacity, with the project scheduled for completion by March 2026, strengthening its role as a strategic refinery for the Northeast.

Digboi Refinery Quick Info Table 

FAQs on Digboi Refinery

1. Why is Digboi Refinery famous?
   It is Asia’s oldest operating oil refinery and marks the beginning of India’s petroleum industry.

2. When was Digboi Refinery established?
   The refinery was commissioned in 1901 by the Assam Oil Company Ltd.

3. Who manages the Digboi Refinery now?
   It is operated by the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) under its Assam Oil Division.

4. Where is Digboi Refinery located?
   The refinery is located in the town of Digboi, in Assam’s Tinsukia district.

5. What products are produced at Digboi Refinery?
   Major products include LPG, diesel, petrol, paraffin wax, and bitumen.

6. Can tourists visit Digboi Refinery?
   Visitors can explore nearby attractions and the Digboi Oil Museum. Entry inside the refinery requires prior IOCL approval.

7. How to reach Digboi Refinery from Guwahati?
   Digboi can be reached via road (NH-38, 527 km), rail to Tinsukia, or flight to Dibrugarh followed by a short drive.

8. What is the capacity of Digboi Refinery?
   The current refining capacity is 0.65 MMTPA, with expansion underway to 1.0 MMTPA.

9. What is the best time to visit Digboi?
   October to April offers pleasant weather and ideal conditions for sightseeing.

10. What are some nearby attractions to Digboi Refinery?
    Digboi Oil Museum, Golf Course, Margherita Coal Museum, and Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary.