SIC 2911 — Petroleum Refining
Official OSHA SIC Manual Definition
Establishments primarily engaged in producing gasoline, kerosene, distillate fuel oils, residual fuel oils, and lubricants, through fractionation or straight distillation of crude oil, redistillation of unfinished petroleum derivatives, cracking or other processes. Establishments of this industry also produce aliphatic and aromatic chemicals as by-products. Establishments primarily engaged in producing natural gasoline from natural gas are classified in mining industries. Those manufacturing lubricating oils and greases by blending and compounding purchased materials are included in Industry 2992. Establishments primarily re-refining used lubricating oils are classified in Industry 2992. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing cyclic and acyclic organic chemicals are classified in Major Group 28.
Description & Classification
SIC code 2911 representing 'Petroleum Refining' is an industry category in the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system under U.S. OSHA and Federal procurement registers.
Modern NAICS Crosswalk
Trace the modern equivalent classifications in the 2022 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) database:
- NAICS 324110 - Petroleum Refineries (via SIC1987:2911→NAICS1997:32411→2002:324110→2007:324110→2012:324110→2017:324110→2022:324110)
Classification Details
| SIC Code | 2911 |
|---|---|
| Industry Title | Petroleum Refining |
| Division | Division D: Manufacturing |
| Major Group | Major Group 29: Petroleum Refining and Related Industries |
| JSON Endpoint | View as JSON · API → |
| Source / Verified | US Census 1987 SIC Concordance / 2026-08-08 |
SIC vs NAICS Compliance & Common Mismatches
Legacy SIC code 2911 classifies commercial operations based on primary end-product or service output under the 1987 federal framework. In contrast, modern 2022 NAICS codes group establishments based on production process inputs.
When submitting public disclosures to SEC EDGAR or determining OSHA workplace safety log recordkeeping exemptions (29 CFR Part 1904), rely strictly on the official OSHA 4-digit SIC classification rather than an automated commercial translation.
💡 Expert Guidance: SIC to NAICS Conversion
Common Compliance Mistake: Many contractors and B2B analysts confuse legacy 4-digit SIC codes like 2911 with modern 6-digit NAICS codes. Ensure that you use the correct active 2022 NAICS code (e.g. from the crosswalk below) when submitting representations on SAM.gov, as federal contracting officers only accept modern NAICS codes.
Related Pages & Tools
Further regulatory reference links for legacy SIC code 2911:
- SIC Codes Complete Compliance Guide — Detailed history and active legal applications of the SIC classification framework.
- Why Legacy SIC Codes Persist Guide — How credit systems and the SEC still rely on SIC metadata.
- SIC ↔ NAICS Crosswalk Tool — Trace industrial code conversions dynamically.
- SIC 2911 to NAICS Crosswalk — Bidirectional mapping to modern NAICS codes (Petroleum Refining).
- SIC Major Group 29 Hub — View other legacy industries in this business division.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What industry sector is represented by legacy SIC code 2911? ▾
Legacy SIC code 2911 represents 'Petroleum Refining', categorized under Division Division D: Manufacturing and Major Group Major Group 29: Petroleum Refining and Related Industries. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system was developed in the late 1930s.
What is the modern 2022 NAICS equivalent for legacy SIC 2911? ▾
Legacy SIC code 2911 maps to the modern 2022 NAICS industry classifications: NAICS 324110 (Petroleum Refineries). Mappings are resolved transitively across successive updates to handle splits.
Why do credit agencies and banks still reference legacy SIC code 2911? ▾
Registries like Dun & Bradstreet, insurance underwriters, and private platforms retain SIC code 2911 because their historical financial risk data and scoring models are indexed using the legacy 4-digit SIC framework.
Does the SEC EDGAR system allow searching public filings by SIC 2911? ▾
Yes. The SEC Division of Corporation Finance assigns a primary 4-digit SIC code to public companies. You can search the EDGAR database using SIC code 2911 to group reporting peer firms.
How do OSHA safety recordkeeping rules apply to SIC code 2911? ▾
Under 29 CFR Part 1904 safety regulations, OSHA references legacy SIC codes including 2911 to determine if a physical establishment is required to maintain daily injury logs (Form 300) or is partially exempt.
What is the structural difference between SIC 2911 and NAICS codes? ▾
SIC code 2911 classifies establishments based on their final product output or market destination (what they sell), while modern NAICS codes classify them based on production processes and inputs (how they work).
What are the typical business activities classified under legacy SIC 2911? ▾
Typical business activities classified under legacy SIC 2911 are the operations associated with 'Petroleum Refining'. Mapped modern NAICS codes can be referenced for specific current examples.
Is legacy SIC code 2911 uniform across all 50 U.S. states? ▾
Yes, the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system, including code 2911, was published as a federal standard and remains uniform nationwide. It is still referenced by various state workers' compensation boards and departments of labor.
Sources & References
- U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA): OSHA Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Manual — Code 2911
- U.S. Census Bureau: 1987 SIC to 2022 NAICS Concordance Tables
- Federal Reserve Board: Industrial Production & Capacity Utilization Classifications
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Schedule C Principal Business Activity (PBA) Industry Concordance
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Standard Industrial Classification Systems Governance