31-05-2012

Motiva celebrates completion of landmark crude expansion project

A ceremony held today at the Motiva Refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, celebrated the completion of a five-year construction project that more than doubled the facility's daily processing capacity to 600,000 barrels of crude. 

Executives of the companies that (through affiliates) jointly own Motiva -- Peter Voser, Chief Executive of Royal Dutch Shell, and Khalid Al-Falih, President and chief executive officer, Saudi Aramco -- turned the ceremonial valve commemorating the start of oil flowing through new processing units at the complex, which is now the country's largest oil refinery and one of the largest in the world. 
 
At the event, Motiva CEO Bob Pease extended his thanks to Port Arthur and the surrounding region for their continued support of the project. "This was truly a community effort that involved so many people and businesses in the Golden Triangle area of Southeast Texas," he pointed out. "The tremendous talent and skill of the employees and contractors who worked on the expansion, day in and day out; the quality of products and services provided by local suppliers; the enthusiasm and support of public officials and local community.  All of these contributions came together to make this project a success." 
 
With more than 14,000 people working on the project at peak construction and more than 300 new permanent jobs, the expansion bolstered Motiva's position as one of Port Arthur's largest employers and a leading revenue source for the city, county and local public schools. The overall economic impact of the project in the region has been estimated in excess of $17 billion. 
 
Pease also noted that the expanded refinery can process a wide variety of crude oils, ranging from relatively light to heavy. It also has the flexibility to switch between primarily producing gasoline and diesel to adapt to varying market conditions. 
 
Al-Falih described the expansion project as a significant milestone of Saudi Aramco's enduring energy ties with the United States. "Our investment in Port Arthur is an integral part of Saudi Aramco's global downstream expansion strategy. Our commitment to meet the needs of the United States' oil market, our expanded stake in U.S. downstream, and our R&D investments in future transportation fuels will contribute to enhancing the United States' long-term energy security - today, tomorrow, and for decades to come," he said. 
 
Voser said "Port Arthur's expansion is central to Shell's plans for selective downstream growth in North America. This refinery will make a major difference to our ability to process the lowest cost crudes to high quality oil products for our customers." 
 
A prestigious group of guests gathered to celebrate this milestone event, which was followed by an open house and site tours.