The City of Brownsville congratulates the Port of Brownsville on securing the America First Refining oil refinery project. It’s a landmark investment that represents the first new major oil refinery to be built in the United States in nearly 50 years. The facility, to be constructed at the Port of Brownsville, marks a significant milestone for the region and further positions Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley as a national leader in energy production, international trade, and industrial growth.
“This announcement demonstrates that Brownsville is leading the charge for business expansion and job growth in South Texas,” said Mayor John Cowen, Jr., City of Brownsville. “We congratulate the Port of Brownsville for securing this historic project. Investments of this scale strengthen our local economy, create quality jobs for our residents, and reinforce Brownsville’s position as one of the most important energy and trade gateways in the United States.”
The new refinery is expected to process American light shale oil sourced from the Permian Basin in West Texas, strengthening the nation’s energy security while creating jobs for the market. Under a landmark 20-year offtake agreement, the project is expected to secure the purchase and processing of 1.2 billion barrels of U.S. light shale oil, valued at approximately $125 billion, and produce up to 50 billion gallons of refined petroleum products valued at an estimated $175 billion. In total, the project is expected to contribute roughly $300 billion in improvements to the U.S. trade balance while significantly expanding domestic refining capacity.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the refinery is expected to take place at the Port of Brownsville in April 2026. The project will mark the beginning of construction on one of the most significant energy infrastructure projects in the country. The facility will be located within a federally designated Economic Opportunity Zone and will leverage the port’s deep-water access to distribute refined products to both domestic and international markets.
The refinery is expected to produce gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel refined at scale using advanced technologies designed for efficiency and cleaner production, while relying exclusively on American-produced shale oil. The project is also expected to expand regional infrastructure and support the continued growth of the Port of Brownsville as a major hub for energy, manufacturing, and logistics.
