I'm not aware that large quantities of fresh water are required by refineries. There are a large number of refining centers located in relatively arid country -- e.g., Artesia, NM, Borger, TX, Big Spring, TX, Cushing, OK, Tulsa, OK, Salt Lake City, UT, El Dorado, KS etc.
By and large, refineries are located near where the oil is (or was). The concentration on the Gulf Coast is likely attributable to import (now) and export (then) needs.
By and large, refineries are located near where the oil is (or was). The concentration on the Gulf Coast is likely attributable to import (now) and export (then) needs.
I bet those inland refineries mostly produce product for the immediate local and regional markets. The Gulf Coast refineries produce lots of product that is transported long distances to other parts of the US. There is pipeline running from the refineries in Corpus Christi, TX that goes to DFW international airport. The oil used is foreign and processed in a free trade zone. The portion used for international flights never has to pay tariffs or import fees, because it is reexported.
They still need lots of water. It's an issue where I live which is in a semi-arid environment. The local refineries have made great efforts to decrease the quantity of water they need to use in their refining processes.
http://www.epa.gov/region9/waterinfrastructure/oilrefineries.html