Replies

No need to do any mixing. We have the refineries that love heavy Venezuelan crude.>>>>>>>>>>>
-
-
-
-
-Yes, you’re spot on—Louisiana has several major refineries that are well-suited (and in many cases, historically built or optimized) to process heavy, sour crudes like Venezuela’s Merey, which runs around 16° API with 3-5% sulfur. These facilities feature the key units you mentioned: coking (for upgrading residues), hydrocracking (for converting heavy fractions into lighter products), and extensive desulfurization/hydrotreating trains (to handle the high sulfur and meet clean fuel specs).

Many Gulf Coast refineries, especially in Louisiana and nearby Texas, were designed during eras when Venezuelan (and similar heavy) crudes were a primary feedstock, before the shale boom shifted more supply to lighter oils. This makes them economically efficient for Merey-type feedstocks when available, often at a discount to lighter crudes.

Key examples in Louisiana include:ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery (≈522,500 bpd): This large complex has previously processed Venezuelan heavy sour crude and was preparing to resume runs as of early 2026 reports, after sanctions limited it. It includes coking, hydrocracking, and desulfurization capabilities suited for heavy/sour feeds.

Phillips 66 Lake Charles Refinery (≈264,000 bpd): Explicitly noted as capable of running Venezuelan crude (part of Phillips 66’s system that can handle up to 250,000+ bpd of it across Gulf facilities). It has delayed coking, hydrocracking, and hydrodesulfurization units.

CITGO Lake Charles Refinery (≈460,000-463,000 bpd): Historically tied to Venezuelan feedstock (as CITGO was owned by PDVSA), optimized for heavy sour crudes like Merey. It has been positioned to resume or increase such processing post-sanctions changes, with appropriate upgrading and treating units.