ExxonMobil will add flexibility to process light crudes at its Beaumont, Texas, U.S.A. refinery, increasing production capacity by approximately 20,000 barrels per day (bpd). This expansion will further strengthen ExxonMobil’s integrated downstream portfolio in Southeast Texas.

“This project will grow our capacity and flexibility to process light crude oils,” said Jerry Wascom, president of ExxonMobil Refining and Supply Company. “Building on the recent increases in domestic oil and gas production, this investment further strengthens the competitiveness of the company’s strategic assets in North America and enhances U.S. energy security.”

The increase in capacity at the Beaumont refinery is made possible in large part by abundant, affordable supplies of U.S. light crude from shale, which demonstrates ExxonMobil’s long-term view, the company said.

“ExxonMobil continues to strengthen its portfolio of world-class refining assets,” said Fernando Salazar, refinery manager, ExxonMobil’s Beaumont refinery. “The expanded crude unit at Beaumont refinery supports the company’s position as a leader in the global energy market by improving the production slate, and enabling improvement in the product yield in a highly energy-efficient manner that will further strengthen the industry-leading position of our assets.”

ExxonMobil’s Beaumont refinery is part of the company’s integrated operations in Beaumont, Texas that includes a 345,000 bpd refinery, as well as chemical, lubricants and polyethylene plants.