Latest News for the Proposed Cushing Refinery
The Cushing refinery project in Oklahoma marks a significant development in the U.S. energy sector, being the first major refinery built in nearly 50 years.
Announced in May 2023 by Southern Rock Energy Partners, this $5.5 billion project aims to be a "next-generation" facility with a zero carbon footprint. The refinery will utilize cutting-edge technologies, including renewable energy sources like solar and wind, hydrogen fuel, and carbon capture to significantly reduce emissions.
Timeline and Current Status
Initially scheduled for construction in 2024 and completion by 2027, the project has faced delays due to land acquisition and other challenges. Despite these setbacks, Southern Rock Energy remains committed to the project, which is expected to create over 420 full-time jobs and have an $18 billion economic impact in its first decade.
Innovative Approach
The Cushing refinery stands out as a pioneering effort in integrating advanced technologies to minimize environmental impact. It plans to produce blue hydrogen with carbon capture technology, recycle 80% of its wastewater, and reduce water consumption by 90%. These efforts are expected to eliminate 95% of greenhouse gas emissions while processing 250,000 barrels of light crude daily.
Other U.S. Refineries Adopting New Technologies
Several other U.S. refineries are also transitioning towards lower carbon operations:
- Phillips 66 Rodeo Refinery. Located in California, this facility is undergoing a $1.25 billion conversion to process renewable feedstocks like waste oils and fats, producing renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.
- Marathon Petroleum Martinez Refinery. This California refinery is being transformed to produce renewable diesel using animal fats and soybean oil.
- HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refinery. In Wyoming, this refinery has been converted to produce renewable diesel from soybean oil.
These projects highlight a broader industry trend towards lowering total carbon emissions and increasing the production of cleaner fuels. The Cushing refinery's ambitious goals and technological innovations set a precedent for future developments in the energy sector.
Side note: I am personally excited about this project as I am a Native Oklahoman!
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Resources
[1] Plans to Build a $5.5 Billion Refinery in Cushing Have Been Delayed https://tankterminals.com/news/plans-to-build-a-5-5-billion-refinery-in-cushing-have-been-delayed/
[2] Planned Cushing refinery to have multibillion-dollar impact https://journalrecord.com/2023/05/planned-cushing-refinery-to-have-multibillion-dollar-impact/
[3] Company to build $5.56 billion oil refinery in Cushing, construction ... https://okcfox.com/news/local/cushing-oklahoma-oil-refinry-southern-rock-energy-ricky-lofton-city-commision-drumright-oil-field-energy-north-america-construction-2024-opens-2027-steven-ward-business-anadarko-permian-bakken-basins
[4] Cushing named as the site for full conversion crude refinery https://www.greateroklahomacity.com/news/2023/05/25/energy/cushing-named-as-the-site-for-full-conversion-crude-refinery/
[5] History of the Cushing Oil Field - 1600 KUSH https://www.1600kush.com/businessspotlight/history-of-the-cushing-oil-field
[6] Hudson Refinery Superfund Site https://www.deq.ok.gov/land-protection-division/cleanup-redevelopment/superfund/hudson-refinery-superfund-site/
[7] Cushing-Drumright Field | The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History ... https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=CU008
[8] Phillips 66 progresses Rodeo Renewed refinery conversion project https://www.ogj.com/refining-processing/refining/construction/article/14297313/phillips-66-progresses-rodeo-renewed-refinery-conversion-project