Oil Industry in Taiwan

Oil exploration in Taiwan began during the Qing dynasty era with the discovery of petroleum seeps at Chuhuangkeng (出磺坑) in 1861. Japanese colonial authorities extensively developed the petroleum resources of Miaoli and Tainan but nearly all facilities suffered heavy damage during American bombing runs during World War 2. The industry saw significant development in the post-war era marked by the establishment of major petrochemical facilities and the construction of a major oil refinery in Kaohsiung. By the 1980s, domestic oil production had declined substantially, leading to a shift toward petrochemical manufacturing and increased reliance on imported crude oil for Taiwan’s industrial needs.