Sunbury Research Centre

The Sunbury Research Centre, located in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, is a prominent research institute for BP, originally established in 1917. It began with two chemists investigating fuel oil viscosity for the Navy during World War I. Over the decades, the centre has played a crucial role in petroleum refining innovations, including the discovery of the alkylation process, which significantly improved aviation and automobile fuels. During World War II, the centre's research contributed to the production of high-octane aviation fuel, essential for the RAF's success in the Battle of Britain. Today, it stands as a testament to over a century of advancements in energy research and development.