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Port Arthur Refinery
Motiva Enterprises is expanding its Port Arthur Refinery (PAR) in Texas by 325,000 barrels per day (bbl/d), taking total capacity to 600,000 bbl/d. Following the expansion, the PAR will be one of the largest refineries in the US. Shell owns 50% of Motiva; the remaining 50% is owned by Saudi Aramco.
Key facts
Location: | Gulf of Mexico, US |
|---|---|
| Category: | Complex refinery |
| Interest: | Shell 50%, Saudi-Aramco 50% |
| Additional capacity: | 325 kbbl/d |
| Key contractors: | Bechtel/Jacobs |
Technology
The expanded Port Arthur refinery will be capable of handling most grades of crudes, even the lowest quality. A new three-unit naphtha processing complex will include a catalytic reformer which will convert 85,000 b/d into high octane gasoline for blending. The scale of the expansion includes 725 pumps, 19 compressors, 514 heat exchangers and 54 new tanks. New technology will lower most emissions from the refinery on a per barrel basis. Nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds will be reduced from present day levels.
Environment and society
At Port Arthur, where the local community supports the expansion, more than 7 billion will be generated in regional economic development; 4,500 construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs will be created by the expansion project. Strategies are being developed to improve public infrastructure, minimising the impact of construction on local communities. Construction sites for the expansion project have been identified within the existing fence line of the refinery. Motiva’s strategy is to analyse what material, equipment and services are needed then to positively identify opportunities to source locally where possible.
Markets
Shell has the largest branded fuels retailing network in the United States. The Port Arthur expansion will deliver increased supplies of gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel to the US and expand the slate of base oils the refinery can produce. The refinery’s strategic location on the Gulf of Mexico gives access to water-bourne supplies of crude oil and has excellent links to the national fuel distribution infrastructure.
Current developments
Currently under construction, good progress is being made. Thousands of workers are employed in Texas, with hundreds of skilled jobs to be created after construction. Start-up is expected around the end of the decade.
Related press releases
21 Sept 2007- Shell announces final investment decision to expand Motiva Port Arthur refinery
28 Apr 2006 - Motiva announces progress on refinery expansion project
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Motiva Enterprises LLC
Motiva Enterprises LLC is a joint venture between Shell and Saudi Refining Inc. It refines, distributes, and markets oil products in the eastern and southern US.
