Profitability remains the primary driver, with facilities closing when maintenance costs and regulatory compliance outweigh operational revenue. Region Number of Refineries Key States Gulf Coast ~60 Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi West Coast ~15 California, Washington, Oregon Midwest ~35 Illinois, Ohio, Indiana East Coast ~15 New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey Rocky Mountains ~5 Colorado, Wyoming Other ~5 Various Capacity and Operational Scale \ The 135 refineries collectively process an average of approximately 18 million barrels of crude oil per day.
West Coast Refinery Limits: California, Washington, and Oregon Facing Capacity Constraints
Environmental regulations, particularly those concerning emissions and waste management, have also significantly impacted the viability of older, less-efficient plants. While the total number may decline slightly due to these pressures, the focus is shifting towards optimizing the efficiency and environmental performance of the existing network.
Individual refinery capacity varies dramatically, from smaller regional plants processing tens of thousands of barrels per day to massive complexes handling over 600,000 barrels daily. The United States operates one of the most complex and extensive networks of oil refineries in the world, processing billions of barrels of crude oil daily to meet domestic energy demands and supply global markets.
West Coast Refinery Limits: California, Washington, and Oregon Facing Regulatory and Economic Pressures
The Midwest, particularly around Illinois and Ohio, supports a network of refineries focused on processing lighter crude grades and supplying regional fuel distribution centers. The concentration here is a result of historical infrastructure, deep-water ports, and proximity to major crude oil production areas.
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