Duncan, Oklahoma, advances in the recovery of its industrial capacity with the start of construction of a new $400 million refinery by Green Fuels Operating. The project will be developed in Stephens County, on a former refining complex active since the 1920s and closed in 1983.
The plant will have an initial capacity of 30,000 barrels per day, expandable to 50,000 barrels per day, plus storage for up to one million barrels. It will produce gasoline, diesel, kerosene, naphtha, asphalt, and aviation fuel, key products for the regional energy market.
New Life for a Former Industrial Site
The site was used for decades by Sunray Corporation, Sun Oil Company, and Tosco Corporation. After its closure, federal and state environmental authorities oversaw investigations and remediation work, leaving the space prepared for new industrial uses.
The Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation managed the promotion of the site together with Stephens County. The arrival of Green Fuels Operating represents the first significant result of that redevelopment strategy.
Refining with Low-Emission Technology
Green Fuels Operating will use patented hydrocarbon processing technology, with flash vacuum separation and a closed-loop emission capture system. According to the company, this approach allows vapor recovery and operation at lower temperatures than conventional processes.
Additionally, the refinery will operate continuously year-round, with three operational shifts. The company expects to create between 75 and 80 permanent jobs, plus hundreds of indirect positions in engineering, operations, specialized trades, and technical services.
Oklahoma Refinery Boosts National Refining Capacity
The project stands out because it comes in a context of reduced refining capacity in the United States. The number of refineries in the country has fallen from 255 facilities in 1977 to 124 today, according to data cited by local media.
Officials such as Tom Cole and Matt Pinnell highlighted the strategic value of refining fuels domestically and the economic impact for rural areas of Oklahoma.
Source and photo: Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation
