LyondellBasell Industries has begun the closure of its 264 Mb/d Houston refinery. The gradual ramp-down started the weekend of January 24, with the company emphasizing a safe transition to protect the community, environment, and workforce. Unfortunately, the closure will result in layoffs for up to 400 employees in the months ahead. The Houston refinery, operational since 1918, has been a significant producer of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and lube oils. However, after years of failed attempts to sell the facility, LyondellBasell decided to shutter it to align with its strategic shift toward "circular and low-carbon solutions".
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It's Time to Go - What's Behind the Planned Closure of Phillips 66's Los Angeles Refinery?
Weak refining margins, rising regulatory compliance costs, softening demand for gasoline and the push for lower-carbon alternatives like batteries and renewable diesel have each contributed to a steady decline in California’s refining capacity the past few years. Now, Phillips 66’s plan to idle its 139-Mb/d Los Angeles Refinery in Q4 2025 will leave the Golden State with only seven conventional refineries producing gasoline, diesel and jet fuel — a couple of dozen fewer than it had 40 years ago. In today’s RBN blog, we’ll put P66’s recent announcement in context and discuss the likelihood of additional refinery closures.
