Flint Hills celebrates 30 years in Corpus Christi
Since 1981, the year that Flint Hills Resources began operating in Corpus Christi, Texas, more than $3.1 billion in projects have been completed. Many of those projects have resulted in environmental improvements, including a 97% reduction in refinery flare time, decreased emissions of criteria air pollutants and other environmental milestones.
"There has been significant evolution during the past 30 years in our refining and chemicals business," remarked Phil Gaarder, Flint Hills Resources vice president of manufacturing in Corpus Christi. "We are proud of our ability to meet our customers' demands while increasing our efficiency and improving our environmental performance.
"What's more, when the West Refinery was built, its feedstock was South Texas crude. Over time, with local supplies declining and the demand for fuel increasing, the refinery began sourcing much of its crude elsewhere. Today, we've come nearly full circle with the majority of the crude we refine being sourced locally, especially from the Eagle Ford [shale] play."
The West Refinery, which was built in 1953, was acquired by Koch Refining Co. from Sun Oil Co. on November 13, 1981. The $245 million (MM) purchase also included a crude oil gathering system and significant gas contract.
Today's Corpus Christi operations include an East Refinery acquired in 1995 and an Ingleside crude oil terminal.
During its 30th year of operation in Corpus Christi, the company observed a number of key accomplishments, including commissioning new diesel desulfurization and sulfur recovery units at a cost of more than $250MM.
Flint Hills Resources has the capacity to process 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day in Corpus Christi and annually produces about four billion pounds of petrochemicals.
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