LyondellBasell delays exit from Houston refinery

HOUSTON (ICIS)–LyondellBasell plans to delay the exit from its Houston-based refining business to no later than the end of Q1 2025, the international petrochemicals major said in an update on Wednesday.

The company originally planned to end operations at the 268,000 bbl/day Houston refinery by end 2023.

“Favourable inspections and consistent performance” have given the company the confidence to continue safe and reliable operations at the Houston site, it said.

A moderate maintenance spend would support the extension in 2023 and 2024, it added.

The extension will minimise any impact on the workforce as LyondellBasell continues to develop future options for the site. It will also enable a smoother transition between the shutdown and the implementation of the retrofitting and circular projects, it said.

Meanwhile, the company is evaluating multiple options for the Houston site, including recycled and renewable-based feedstocks and green and blue hydrogen.

These growth projects will connect to existing assets in the Houston area and use existing infrastructure on the refining site, including hydrotreaters, pipelines, tanks, utilities, buildings and laboratories, LyondellBasell noted.

“In the future, LyondellBasell expects the 700-acre refining site will be part of a Houston regional hub for its Circular and Low Carbon Solutions business and support the growth of the LyondellBasell Circulen product portfolio,” it said.

Additional reporting by Al Greenwood

Thumbnail shows a pump that dispenses gasoline, one of the products made at a refinery. Image by Shutterstock.