Chevron upgrades Pasadena refinery to increase capacity, product flexibility

Chevron (CVX) has completed a retrofit of its refinery in Pasadena, Texas, which is expected to increase product flexibility and expand the processing capacity of lighter crudes by nearly 15% to 125,000 barrels per day. Chevron acquired the Pasadena Refinery in 2019 with the strategic intent to expand its Gulf Coast refining system. This project is expected to allow the company to process more equity crude from the Permian Basin, supply more products to customers in the U.S. Gulf Coast and realize synergies with the company’s Pascagoula refinery. The Light Tight Oil LTO Project aims to enhance facility reliability and safety and will ultimately result in an increase in the supply of refined products domestically. The refinery will also begin producing jet fuel and exporting gas oil. “The Pasadena Refinery is on a journey to maximize value for Chevron and the community it serves by driving progress in safety and reliability,” said Chevron Manufacturing President Chris Cavote. “This refinery now firmly integrates our upstream and downstream businesses as we aim to optimize the value chain.” Planning for the LTO Project began in 2019 with work beginning in early 2020.