LUBBOCK, TEXAS (RFD NEWS) — America First Refining announced plans to construct the first new U.S. oil refinery in roughly 50 years at the Port of Brownsville, Texas, supported by a long-term offtake agreement and major capital investment.
The company says the project includes a binding 20-year agreement with a global energy partner covering about 1.2 billion barrels of U.S. light shale oil and production of roughly 50 billion gallons of refined products. Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026, positioning the facility to process approximately 60 million barrels of domestic crude annually once operational.
For markets, the development reflects continued growth in U.S. shale output alongside longstanding constraints in refining capacity designed for lighter crude streams. The refinery is engineered specifically for light shale oil and located at a deep-water Gulf Coast port to support both domestic distribution and export channels.
Regionally, the project is expected to create construction and operational jobs while strengthening Gulf Coast refining infrastructure and supply chain logistics tied to fuel markets.
Looking ahead, analysts will watch permitting timelines, financing progress, and global demand trends to gauge how quickly the facility influences domestic refining capacity and energy flows.
