Frequently Asked Questions
When was the last refinery built in the United States?
There were a total of 144 operable petroleum refineries in the United States as of January 1, 2012.
The "newest" refinery in the United States began operating in 2008 in Douglas, Wyoming. However, the newest significant (or sophisticated) refinery began operating in 1977 in Garyville, Louisiana.
Capacity has also been added to existing refineries through upgrades or new construction. The most recent examples include:
- In 1998, Orion Refinery massively upgraded and reopened a refinery in Norco, Louisiana, which was a small, simple refinery that originally opened in 1967. (It is now owned by Valero.)
- Valero opened a "new" and very sophisticated refinery in 1983 in Corpus Christi, Texas, on the site of a simple refinery that originally opened in 1975.
The newest refineries currently operating in the United States are as follows:
| Year Built | First Operated | Location | Original Owner | Original Capacity | Current Owner | 2011 Capacity | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2008 | Douglas, WY | Interline Resources | 3,000 | Garco Energy | 3,600 | Simple |
| 1998 | 1998 | Atmore, AL | Goodway | 4,100 | Goodway | 4,100 | Simple |
| 1993 | 1993 | Valdez, AK | Petro Star | 26,300 | Petro Star | 55,000 | Simple |
| 1991 | 1992 | Eagle Springs, NV | Petro Source |
|
Foreland | 2,000 | Simple |
| 1986 | 1987 | North Pole, AK | Petro Star | 6,700 | Petro Star | 19,700 | Simple |
| 1985 | 1986 | Anchorage, AK | ARCO | 12,000 | ConocoPhillips | 15,000 | Simple |
| 1981 | 1982 | Thomas, OK | OK Refining | 10,700 | Ventura | 12,000 | Simple |
| 1979 | 1980 | Wilmington, CA | Huntway | 5,400 | Valero | 6,300 | Simple |
| 1978 | 1979 | Vicksburg, MS | Ergon | 10,000 | Ergon | 23,000 | Simple |
| 1978 | 1979 | North Slope, AK | ARCO | 13,000 | BP Exp AK | 12,780 | Simple |
| 1978 | 1978 | North Pole, AK | Earth Resources | 22,600 | Flint Hills | 219,500 | Simple |
| 1977 | 1978 | Lake Charles, LA | Calcasieu | 6,500 | Calcasieu | 78,000 | Simple |
| 1976 | 1977 | Garyville, LA | Marathon | 200,000 | Marathon | 464,000 | Complex |
| 1976 | 1977 | Krotz Springs, LA | Gold King | 5,000 | Alon | 80,000 | Complex |
| 1975 | 1975 | Corpus Christi, TX | Saber | 15,000 | Valero | 142,000 | Complex |
| 1967 | 1967 | Good Hope, LA | Kirby Industries | 6,500 | Valero | 205,000 | Complex |
Learn more:
Refinery Capacity Report, Table 1
Last updated: August 3, 2012
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