This has been in the works since 2022, and it’s finally happening. LyondellBasell’s huge Houston refinery is shutting down, and it all starts this weekend.

By the end of March, the refinery will stop making fuel for good.

This means hundreds of jobs will disappear, and Houston’s economy is likely to feel it.

Goodbye to a Fuel Giant

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For over 100 years, this refinery has been churning out fuel for everything from family road trips to long-haul truckers. Sitting on a 700-acre site, it’s capable of refining more than 250,000 barrels of oil every day.

That’s a whole lot of gasoline and diesel that won’t be coming from this iconic site anymore.

Jobs on the Line

LyondellBasell final operations at 700-acre refinery site
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But the legacy doesn’t make the end any easier, especially for the roughly 400 employees who’ll be out of work in the coming months.

"We’re focused on safely ceasing refining operations to protect the community, environment, and workers," LyondellBasell stated.

Still, there’s not much comfort in corporate statements when livelihoods are on the line.

So, why is the refinery shutting down? The company’s official line cites market conditions and aging infrastructure—a tough combo for any business to tackle.

  • Aging infrastructure
  • Market conditions driving closures
  • On the books since 2022

And while it’s been planned for years, the reality is now setting in for employees and the community alike.

What Happens Next?

This closure isn’t just about Houston; it’s about how Texas’s energy industry is evolving.

One thing’s for sure: the end of this chapter will ripple far beyond the refinery gates.

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