Asia,
Australia,
Canada,
Carson,
Cancer Alley,
Chevron,
El Segundo,
Europe,
Fawley,
Houston,
India,
Italy,
Iraq,
Irving,
Jamnagar,
Japan,
Lebanon,
Lemont,
Lindsey,
Long Beach,
Louisiana,
Los Angeles,
Manhattan Beach,
Mathura,
Middle East,
Netherlands,
Pakistan,
Richmond,
Russia,
Salt Lake City,
San Francisco,
Shell,
Singapore,
Tavares,
Tesoro,
Texas,
United Kingdom,
Texas City,
Torrance,
Unit Arab Emirates,
Valero,
Worldwide
1. Valero’s Major Refineries in the United States
A. Port Arthur Refinery (Texas)
- Location: Port Arthur, Texas.
- Capacity: Approximately 395,000 barrels per day (bpd).
- Overview: One of the largest refineries in Valero's portfolio, the Port Arthur refinery processes a variety of crude oils, including heavy sour crude, into products like gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and petrochemical feedstocks. Its location near the Gulf Coast allows easy access to imported crude and export markets.
- Environmental Initiatives: The refinery has implemented measures to reduce emissions, such as installing flue gas desulfurization units to limit sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions and reduce environmental impact on the surrounding communities.
B. Corpus Christi Refinery (Texas)
- Location: Corpus Christi, Texas.
- Capacity: Approximately 290,000 bpd.
- Overview: This complex consists of two plants – the East and West plants. It produces a wide range of products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and asphalt. The refinery's strategic location near crude oil sources in Texas and the Gulf of Mexico makes it a key asset for Valero.
- Focus on Renewable Fuels: Valero is investing in the production of renewable diesel at its Corpus Christi facility, using bio-based feedstocks to produce lower-carbon fuels.
C. St. Charles Refinery (Louisiana)
- Location: Norco, Louisiana.
- Capacity: Approximately 340,000 bpd.
- Overview: This refinery is highly complex, producing gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and petrochemicals. It is well-integrated with pipelines and the Gulf Coast oil market, providing flexibility in sourcing crude and distributing products.
- Environmental Measures: The St. Charles refinery has been outfitted with technologies to reduce VOCs, NOx, and SO2 emissions, including the use of low-NOx burners and vapor recovery systems.
D. Meraux Refinery (Louisiana)
- Location: Meraux, Louisiana.
- Capacity: Approximately 135,000 bpd.
- Overview: This refinery produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and petrochemical feedstocks. Its location near the Gulf of Mexico allows for the efficient receipt of crude oil and distribution of refined products.
- Emissions Control: The refinery has implemented flaring reduction programs and installed modern equipment to minimize the impact on local air quality.
E. Wilmington Refinery (California)
- Location: Wilmington, near Los Angeles, California.
- Capacity: Approximately 135,000 bpd.
- Overview: This refinery processes a variety of crude oils, including heavy sour crudes, to produce gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel for the Southern California market. It is strategically located near major transport hubs.
- Environmental Concerns: The refinery has taken steps to reduce its environmental footprint by investing in emission control technologies and compliance with California’s stringent air quality regulations.
F. Benicia Refinery (California)
- Location: Benicia, in the San Francisco Bay Area, California.
- Capacity: Approximately 160,000 bpd.
- Overview: The refinery produces gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, and serves markets on the West Coast. It has access to crude oil supplies from both domestic sources and overseas.
- Environmental Initiatives: Valero has implemented air quality monitoring around the refinery to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and minimize its impact on the surrounding community.
2. Valero’s International Refineries
A. Quebec Refinery (Canada)
- Location: Lévis, Quebec, Canada.
- Capacity: Approximately 235,000 bpd.
- Overview: The Quebec refinery produces a wide range of products, including gasoline, diesel, heating oil, and petrochemical feedstocks. It is a major supplier for eastern Canada and the northeastern United States.
- Environmental Measures: The refinery has upgraded its equipment to improve fuel quality and reduce emissions, including the implementation of sulfur recovery units to limit SO2 emissions.
B. Pembroke Refinery (United Kingdom)
- Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK.
- Capacity: Approximately 270,000 bpd.
- Overview: This refinery is one of the largest in Western Europe and produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and heating oil for markets in the UK and Europe. It has extensive storage and distribution infrastructure, including access to major shipping routes.
- Focus on Sustainability: Valero is exploring options to integrate renewable feedstocks and improve the refinery’s overall energy efficiency.
3. Environmental and Social Considerations
- Emission Controls: Valero has invested in modern technologies to control emissions at its refineries, such as low-NOx burners, sulfur recovery units, and vapor recovery systems. These measures aim to reduce the release of pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter (PM2.5).
- Renewable Energy: Valero is actively involved in the production of renewable fuels, such as renewable diesel, through its Diamond Green Diesel joint venture. This initiative aligns with the company's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the transition to cleaner energy.
- Community Engagement: Valero has programs in place to monitor air quality and engage with local communities near its refineries. These programs provide information on health and safety measures and address concerns related to environmental impact.
