Frequently Asked Questions
When was the last refinery built in the United States?
There were a total of 141 operable petroleum refineries in the United States as of January 1, 2016.
Two new refineries began operating in 2015. Petromax Refining Co began operating a 25,000 b/cd refinery in Houston in the second quarter. Buckeye Partners LP began operating a 46,250 b/cd condensate processing facility in Corpus Christi in the fourth quarter.
However, the newest refinery with significant downstream unit capacity began operating in 1977 in Garyville, Louisiana. That facility came online in 1977 with an initial atmospheric distillation unit capacity of 200,000 b/cd and as of January 1, 2016 had capacity of 539,000 b/cd.
Capacity has also been added to existing refineries through upgrades or new construction. Some recent examples of large increases include:
- In 2012, Motiva upgraded its refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, making it the largest refinery in the U.S. with a capacity of 603,000 b/cd as of January 1, 2016.
- In 2009, Marathon upgraded its Garyville, Louisiana refinery. As of January 1, 2016, the capacity is more than double its original 1977 capacity.
The newest refineries currently operating in the United States:
Year Built | First Operated | Location | Original Owner | Original Capacity b/cd | Current Owner | 2016 Capacity b/cd |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | 2015 | Corpus Christi, TX | Buckeye Partners | 46,250 | Buckeye Partners | 46,250 |
2015 | 2015 | Houston, TX | Petromax Refining | 25,000 | Petromax Refining | 25,000 |
2014 | 2015 | Dickinson, ND | Dakota Prairie Refining | 19,000 | Dakota Praire Refining | 19,500 |
2014 | 2015 | Galena Park, TX | Kinder Morgan | 42,000 | Kinder Morgan | 84,000 |
2008 | 2008 | Douglas, WY | Interline Resources | 3,000 | Antelope Refining | 3,800 |
1998 | 1998 | Atmore, AL | Goodway | 4,100 | Goodway | 4,100 |
1993 | 1993 | Valdez, AK | Petro Star | 26,300 | Petro Star | 55,000 |
1991 | 1992 | Ely, NV | Petro Source |
|
Foreland | 2,000 |
1986 | 1987 | North Pole, AK | Petro Star | 6,700 | Petro Star | 19,700 |
1985 | 1986 | Prudhoe Bay, AK | ARCO | 12,000 | ConocoPhillips | 15,000 |
1979 | 1980 | Wilmington, CA | Huntway | 5,400 | Valero | 6,300 |
1978 | 1979 | Vicksburg, MS | Ergon | 10,000 | Ergon | 23,000 |
1978 | 1979 | North Slope, AK | ARCO | 13,000 | BP Exploration, AK | 10,500 |
1977 | 1978 | Lake Charles, LA | Calcasieu | 6,500 | Calcasieu | 89,000 |
1976 | 1977 | Garyville, LA | Marathon | 200,000 | Marathon | 539,000 |
1976 | 1977 | Krotz Springs, LA | Gold King | 5,000 | Alon | 80,000 |
1975 | 1975 | Corpus Christi, TX | Saber | 15,000 | Valero | 293,000 |
Learn more:
Refinery Capacity Report
Articles on petroleum refining
Last updated: June 22, 2016
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