Refidomsa: evolution of a public company that moves the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic Petroleum Refinery S.A. (Refidomsa) has been, since its founding, a fundamental axis in the energy security and economic development of the Dominican Republic. With 52 years of uninterrupted operation, this state-owned company has evolved beyond the simple refining of crude oil, becoming a model of modern public management, sustained by a strategy of expansion, technological renewal, and a vision for the future.

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History of the Dominican Republic Refinery of Petroleum

Refidomsa was established on November 7, 1969, following an agreement between the Dominican State and Royal Dutch Shell, and officially inaugurated on February 24, 1973 in Haina, San Cristóbal. From its inception, it operated under the hydroskimming model, with an installed refining capacity of 34,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

This milestone represented a significant advance in the country’s ability to manage its energy resources, reducing dependence on imported derivatives and fostering self-sufficiency.

Shareholder Reconfiguration: From Mixed Company to State-Owned Enterprise

In 2010, the Dominican State sold 49% of the shares to Venezuela for US$133.43 million, as part of the Petrocaribe agreement. In August of 2021, the Dominican government recovered all of the shares for US$88.13 million, with the approval of the US OFAC, consolidating Refidomsa as a 100% state-owned company.

Edificio de oficinas de la Refinería Dominicana de Petróleo (Refidomsa)

Recent Milestones: 2024 Achievements

During its 52nd anniversary, Refidomsa highlighted a series of achievements that have redefined its position in the energy market:

Inauguration of four LPG storage spheres, increasing capacity from 140 thousand to 380 thousand barrels, representing up to 40 days of national coverage.
Investment of US$91 million in these spheres, the largest in the company’s history, built in 30 months under international standards (ASME code).
José Francisco Peña Gómez Technology Center in Haina, with an investment of RD$227.6 million, focused on the formative development of national technical talent.
AA+ rating awarded by Fitch Ratings, reflecting its financial stability and institutional credibility.
Almost 1.8 million hours worked without serious incidents or plant shutdowns since October 2023, demonstrating operational efficiency.

Managerial Restructuring: New Leadership Stage

Within the framework of his first year as Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Leonardo Aguilera announced in 2024 a series of key managerial changes to strengthen the strategic vision and expand Refidomsa’s presence in new markets.

Among the most outstanding designations:

Yamily López was appointed general manager, replacing Néstor Rodríguez, who retired after 45 years of continuous service.
Ramón Artilez, designated as deputy general manager.
César Bautista, new Marketing and Supply Manager.
William Lockward, Business Intelligence Coordinator.
Ariel Ureña, assumed as Maintenance Coordinator.
Franklin Morrison, as Head of Professional Development and Training Actions, driving the transformation of the internal training system.

Aguilera explained that these designations respond to the need to make the company more competitive and prepared for the conquest of new market niches, such as the AC-30, a petroleum derivative key in the asphalt industry, from which Refidomsa had been inexplicably marginalized. Furthermore, an institutional link was created with the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) to expedite joint projects and ensure a more effective operational link between both entities.

Strengthening Institutional Communication

As part of this new phase, the President of the Board also appointed two key figures to lead Refidomsa’s strategic communication:

Nelson Encarnación was appointed Director of Communications, with over 30 years of journalistic experience, having directed media outlets such as CDN, Noticiario Popular and the weekly La República, in addition to being an editor at El Nacional and El Caribe.
Héctor Romero, assumed as Deputy Director and Content Coordinator, bringing a modern and innovative vision, with experience in digital media and multimedia strategies.

These designations are part of an institutional projection strategy that seeks to improve relationships with media, opinion leaders, influencers, and strategic sectors, to consolidate a solid, coherent image aligned with the company’s values.

Commitment to Transparency: Management of Seized Assets

In an unprecedented event, Refidomsa assumed, through an agreement with Incabide, the temporary management of three gas stations seized during “Operation Falcon“. These, located in Miches, were legally transferred for administration under Law 60-23, in an action that reinforces the company’s commitment to transparency, justice, and the efficient use of public assets.

Complementary Infrastructure

Refidomsa has also promoted logistics and infrastructure projects, such as:

Improvements to the Puerto Viejo (Azua) gas terminal
Expansion of the Nizao port
Construction of a new oil pipeline from Haina
Optimization of the maritime terminal in Haina Occidental, in partnership with Itabo

Operational Structure

The refinery operates under a technical and functional structure composed of:

General Management
Deputy General Management
Operations and Technical Services Management
Maintenance and Plant Shutdown Management
Marketing and Supply Management
Finance Management
Administration and Logistics Management
Security Management
Legal Management
Communications Department
Professional Development Unit
Business Intelligence Coordination

A Clear Vision: Energy for the Future

With over 60% market share in the hydrocarbons market and being one of the main sources of tax revenue for the State, Refidomsa is projecting itself towards a future focused on:

Technological innovation
Commercial expansion
Energy sustainability
Human capital formation
Institutional transparency

In the words of Doctor Leonardo Aguilera:

“Refidomsa is not just a refinery; it is an institution that transforms energy into progress. Each achievement, each work, each alliance, is guided by the commitment to guarantee a stronger, fairer, and more competitive future for all Dominicans.”