Oil Refineries in Texas (as of Jan 2025)

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How Many Oil Refineries Are in Texas?

Texas is home to nearly 30 oil refineries, making it the heart of the U.S. oil refining industry. These refineries are critical in producing gasoline, diesel, and other essential petroleum products.

Here's a look at the refineries:

1.Austin

Double Punch Refinery (Barton Refining): A smaller refinery specializing in localized oil refining operations.

2. Baytown

Baytown Refinery (ExxonMobil): One of the largest oil refineries in the world, known for its massive production capacity and role in ExxonMobil's global operations.

3. Big Spring

Big Spring Refinery (Alon USA): Processes crude oil to produce fuels and asphalt, supplying products to the West Texas market.

4. Beaumont

Beaumont Refinery (ExxonMobil): A high-capacity refinery producing gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel, serving domestic and export markets.

5. Borger

Borger Refinery (Phillips 66/Cenovus): Focuses on producing transportation fuels, chemical feedstocks, and specialty products.

6. Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi Complex (Flint Hills Resources): A major facility producing fuels and chemical products focusing on efficiency and environmental compliance.
Corpus Christi Refinery (Citgo): Specializes in refining crude oil into high-quality gasoline, diesel, and other products.
Corpus Christi East & West Refineries (Valero): Twin refineries produce a wide range of fuel products and additives.

7. Deer Park

Deer Park Refinery (Shell Oil Company): A state-of-the-art facility focusing on sustainable refining practices and exporting products worldwide.

8. El Paso

El Paso Refinery (Western Refining): Supplies fuels to the Southwest and northern Mexico, specializing in light sweet crude oil processing.

9. Galveston

Galveston Bay Refinery (Marathon Petroleum): A large refinery known for producing transportation fuels and petrochemical feedstocks.

10. Houston

Houston Refinery (Lyondell): Processes crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and chemicals, serving both domestic and international markets.
Houston Refinery (Valero): Produces fuel and petrochemical products while emphasizing operational efficiency.
Independent Refinery (Stratnor): Focuses on processing crude oil for regional markets.
Penreco (Calumet Penreco LLC): Specializes in producing specialty petroleum products, including white oils and gels.

11. Nixon

Nixon Refinery (Blue Dolphin): A smaller facility primarily serving refined petroleum products in local markets.

12. Pasadena

Pasadena Refinery (Petrobras): Processes crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and other fuels, contributing to the Gulf Coast's refining network.

13. Port Arthur

Port Arthur Refinery (Total): Produces a variety of fuels, including gasoline, jet fuel, and chemical feedstocks.
Port Arthur Refinery (Motiva): The largest refinery in the U.S., focusing on high-capacity fuel production.
Port Arthur Refinery (Valero): Known for producing environmentally compliant fuels.

14. San Antonio

San Antonio Refinery (NuStar Energy): This company produces asphalt and light fuel products for regional markets.

15. Silsbee

South Hampton Refinery (Arabian American Development): Produces specialty chemicals and niche products for industrial use.

16. Sunray

McKee Refinery (Valero): A key facility producing fuels and petrochemical feedstocks for domestic distribution.

17. Sweeny

Sweeny Refinery (Phillips 66): Focuses on producing high-value refined products and petrochemicals.

18. Texas City

Texas City Refinery (Marathon Petroleum): Produces gasoline, diesel, and petrochemical products, serving the Gulf Coast region.
Texas City Refinery (Valero): Emphasizes environmentally friendly refining techniques to produce cleaner fuels.

19. Three Rivers

Three Rivers Refinery (Valero): Processes crude oil into fuels and asphalt for regional and export markets.

20. Tyler

Tyler Refinery (Delek Refining Ltd.): A smaller facility focused on refining fuels for East Texas and surrounding areas.

What is the Biggest Oil Refinery in Texas?

Texas, the energy capital of the United States, is home to some of the largest oil refineries in the world. These facilities are critical to meeting domestic and global fuel demands, processing millions of barrels of crude oil daily.

Among them, the Motiva Port Arthur Refinery holds the title of the largest in Texas. Below is a list of Texas’s top refineries based on capacity, with details about their operations and leadership.

1. Motiva Port Arthur Refinery

Location: 2555 Savannah Ave, Port Arthur, TX 77640
Website: motivaenterprises.com
Oil Barrels Capacity Per Calendar Day: 607,000
Parent Corp: Motiva Enterprises LLC private joint venture
Top Local Executive: Brian Coffman, president/CEO

2. Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery

Location: 502 10th St. S.Texas City, TX 77590
Website: marathonpetroleum.com
Oil Barrels Capacity Per Calendar Day: 593,000
Parent Corp: Marathon Oil Corp.
Ticker Symbol: NYSE: MRO
FY 2020 Revenue: $3.09 Billion
Top Local Executive: Lee Tillman - Chairman/President/CEO

3. ExxonMobil Baytown Refinery

Location: 2800 Decker Dr, Baytown, TX 77520
Website: exxonmobil.com
Oil Barrels Capacity Per Calendar Day: 560,500
Parent Corp: ExxonMobil
Ticker Symbol: NYSE: XOM
FY 2020 Revenue: $181.50 Billion
Top Local Executive: Neil Duffin, President of Production Company

4. Valero Port Arthur Refinery

Location: 1801 S. Gulfway Dr, Port Arthur, TX 77640
Website: valero.com
Oil Barrels Capacity Per Calendar Day: 395,000
Parent Corp: Valero Energy Corp.
Ticker Symbol: NYSE: VLO
FY 2020 Revenue: $64.91 Billion
Top Local Executive: Greg Gentry, VP, General Manager

5. Beaumont Refinery

Location: 1795 Burt St, Beaumont, TX 77701
Website: beaumontrefinery.com
Oil Barrels Capacity Per Calendar Day: 368,024
Parent Corp: ExxonMobil
Ticker Symbol: NYSE: XOM
FY 2020 Revenue: $181.50 billion
Top Local Executive: Fernando Salazar, Refinery Manager

Worker Safety in Texas Oil Refineries

Texas oil refineries are at the core of the energy industry but come with significant risks. Ensuring worker safety requires addressing hazards, comprehensive training, and strict adherence to standards. Let’s explore the major safety concerns and the industry's rich history.

Recognizing and Preventing Common Refinery Hazards

Oil refineries are inherently hazardous environments. Some of the most common dangers include:

Chemical Exposure: Proper ventilation systems and containment procedures reduce risks.
Fire and Explosions: Regular maintenance and fire suppression systems can save lives.
Falls: Guardrails and fall protection systems are essential.
Confined Spaces: Strict entry protocols and atmospheric monitoring ensure safety.

These hazards underline the importance of worker safety protocols. However, addressing them effectively requires proper training and preparation, as detailed in the next section.

Why Safety Training is Essential for Refinery Workers?

Training is the backbone of safety in any hazardous work environment. In refineries, workers are required to complete programs such as:

Hazard Communication (HAZCOM): Understanding chemical risks.
Process Safety Management (PSM): Safely handling dangerous materials.
Emergency Response and Evacuation: Preparing for emergencies like fires or spills.
Confined Space Entry: Safety practices for restricted areas.
Fall Protection: Techniques to avoid fall-related injuries.

Proper training not only prevents accidents but also equips workers to handle emergencies. Alongside training, personal protective equipment plays a vital role, as discussed in the next section.

The Role of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

In high-risk environments like refineries, wearing the right gear can be life-saving. Essential PPE includes:

Clothing and Footwear: Flame-resistant clothing, hard hats, and steel-toed boots.
Eye and Respiratory Protection: Safety glasses or goggles and respirators for hazardous air conditions.

While training and PPE provide day-to-day safety, emergencies require a robust response plan, which is detailed in the next section.

Emergency Preparedness in Refineries

Refineries must be ready for various emergency scenarios to protect workers and the surrounding community. Key components include:

Evacuation Plans: Specific procedures for fires, chemical leaks, and other incidents.
Drills and Simulations: Regularly testing readiness ensures quick and effective responses.
Assembly Points: Pre-designated areas for headcounts and safety checks.
On-Site Response Teams: Trained professionals to manage crises on-site.

The next section explains that emergency preparedness depends on adherence to industry safety standards.

Adhering to Industry Safety Standards

Refinery safety is heavily regulated to ensure worker protection and environmental compliance. Standards include:

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM): Controls hazardous chemicals.
API Recommendations: Guidelines from the American Petroleum Institute.
NFPA Codes: Fire safety measures from the National Fire Protection Association.

These standards have evolved alongside the refinery industry itself, which has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. Let’s explore how it all began.

How Regulations Have Shaped the Industry

Over the decades, regulations have transformed refinery safety and operations:

1970: Clean Air Act amendments introduce emissions controls.
1990: Reformulated gasoline requirements follow further amendments.
2010s: High-profile accidents spur additional safety measures.

Regulations continue to push the industry toward a safer and more sustainable future, showing how far Texas oil refineries have come in prioritizing worker safety.

Texas oil refineries are a testament to how industries can evolve while addressing safety challenges. With the right balance of training, equipment, emergency planning, and compliance with evolving standards, worker safety can remain a top priority.

Compensation for Oil Refinery Accidents

Considering the number of people typically affected and the extent and severity of injuries, the damages sought in cases involving explosions, fires, and other accidents at plants and refineries are often very high. And for good reason: The worst oil and gas disasters have resulted in hundreds of serious injuries and multiple deaths.

The amount of compensation recoverable in your claim will depend on your individual losses. Generally, you may be able to recover damages for:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity, if you are unable to work going forward
Out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury (i.e., medications; a cane, crutches, or wheelchair; travel to and from doctor appointments; modifications to your home and/or vehicle; etc.)
Pain and suffering
Disability
Disfigurement and scarring
Loss of consortium

What is the Time Limit on Oil Refinery Injury Claims?

Because refinery accidents may give rise to multiple claims, several different time limits may apply in your case. Texas workers’ compensation law mandates that any injury or illness must be reported to an employer within 30 days.

Workers have one year to file a claim for benefits. Maritime oil and gas workers have three years to file a claim under the Jones Act.

Personal injury and wrongful death claims stemming from a refinery accident must be brought within two years. This includes negligence-based claims against your employer and/or a third party, such as a contractor, property owner, etc., and product liability claims against a defective product's maker(s).

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FAQs

What legal options do I have if my loved one dies in an oil refinery accident?

If your loved one dies in an oil refinery accident, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional distress. Consult with an experienced attorney to explore your legal options.

Can subcontractors or third-party workers file lawsuits if injured at an oil refinery?

Yes, subcontractors or third-party workers can file lawsuits if injured at an oil refinery, particularly if their injuries result from negligence, unsafe working conditions, or defective equipment.

How can I document evidence after an oil refinery accident?

Document evidence by taking photographs of the accident scene, collecting witness statements, keeping records of medical treatments, and preserving any physical evidence related to the incident. It's also important to keep detailed notes of any conversations with your employer and regulatory authorities.

What role do safety audits play in preventing oil refinery accidents?

Safety audits identify potential hazards, ensure compliance with safety regulations, and recommend improvements. Regular audits can help prevent accidents by addressing risks before they lead to incidents.

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Complete List of Oil Refineries in Texas