The oil production-consumption map is undergoing deep changes due to the discovery of new resources, the development of technologies for the production and processing of non-conventional sources, and the economic development of emerging countries. It is redefining the worldwide refining industry model with a strong impact on the European system, whose survival can only be assured by the availability of new technologies. This paper discusses the energy scenario and describes two relevant examples of how technology innovation from Eni R&D could strongly improve the trend for the refining sector.