The history of our oil refinery in Hemmingstedt
Petroleum – part of life in Dithmarschen and Schleswig-Holstein since 1856. Although Heide Refinery has only existed in its current form since 2010, we can still look back on a history that began more than 150 years ago with the discovery of oil-bearing sands in Hemmingstedt.
Join us as we drill into the depths of the history of petroleum in Dithmarschen and one of the most important petroleum refineries in Germany.
The pioneer Dr. Ludwig Meyn
1820
Born in Pinneberg as the son of a doctor.
1840
Studied natural sciences in Berlin and became a lecturer in rock and soil science.
1856
Germany’s first targeted oil drilling in Lieth in Dithmarschen.
He boiled a heavy oil from bitumen-bearing sands and distilled paraffin from it.
1865
Discovery of an oil-bearing chalk deposit at a depth of 160 metres.
1878
Dies in Hamburg.
The pioneer Dr. Ludwig Meyn
1820
Born in Pinneberg as the son of a doctor.
1840
Studied natural sciences in Berlin and became a lecturer in rock and soil science.
1856
Germany’s first targeted oil drilling in Lieth in Dithmarschen.
He boiled a heavy oil from bitumen-bearing sands and distilled paraffin from it.
1865
Discovery of an oil-bearing chalk deposit at a depth of 160 metres.
1878
Dies in Hamburg.
Figures and facts about Heide Refinery
Middle distillate refinery with a strong petrochemical focus
Revenue of 3.4 billion euros (2025)
Part of the Klesch Group since 2010
Processor of crude oil from global and domestic resources
In addition, around 250 employees from partner companies are supporting at all times
Around 50 per cent of our employees have been with us for at least 20 years
30 apprentices
in two professions
(80 percent men and
20 percent women)
Crude oil supply
Crude oil from the Mittelplate platform and the rest of the world. Delivery via the Brunsbüttel–Hemmingstedt pipeline (32 kilometres).
Tank farm capacity at Heide Refinery in Hemmingstedt and Brunsbüttel
Heide: 450,000 m³
Brunsbüttel: 550,000 m³
Total: 1,000,000 m³
Total number of tanks: 182
Size of Heide Refinery
Size of the site: 134 hectares
Crude oil supply
Crude oil from the Mittelplate platform and the rest of the world. Delivery via the Brunsbüttel–Hemmingstedt pipeline (32 kilometres).
Tank farm capacity at Heide Refinery in Hemmingstedt and Brunsbüttel
Heide: 450,000 m³
Brunsbüttel: 550,000 m³
Total: 1,000,000 m³
Total number of tanks: 182
Size of Heide Refinery
Size of the site: 134 hectares
