How Many Oil Refineries Are In The US in 2026? Latest Count, Capacity & Key Locations

From the fuel in your car to the plastic in your phone and the asphalt on roads, they all have one thing in common: they come from oil refineries.

Oil refineries are large industrial complexes that process crude oil into usable fuels like gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and a wide range of petroleum-based products.

As of 2026, the United States has around 130–135 active oil refineries, with a total refining capacity of over 18 million barrels per day, making it the largest refining system in the world.

Yet, even as fuel demand remains strong, the number of refineries has been slowly declining due to closures, upgrades, and changing energy policies.

Understanding how many oil refineries are in the US in 2026 is important because it directly affects fuel supply, gasoline prices, and energy security.

In this article, we will break down the latest refinery count, total capacity, key locations, and what these numbers tell us about the future of the US oil industry.

US Oil Refineries Overview (2025–2026)

Detailed Count Of How Many Oil Refineries Are In The US

As of early 2026, there are 131 operable crude oil refineries in the United States. This figure represents a slight decrease from 132 refineries at the start of 2024 and 2025.

To put this number into perspective, it is important to look back at the historical high point of the industry.

• In 1982, the United States was home to 254 active refineries. The decline over the last four decades has been driven primarily by the closure of smaller, less efficient plants that could not compete with the massive “mega refineries” that now dominate the Gulf Coast.

• Most of the refineries operating today are concentrated in a few key states, with Texas, Louisiana, and California serving as the primary pillars of the national fuel supply.

• The current count of 131 facilities includes both operating plants and those that are technically operable but may be temporarily idle for maintenance or repairs.

• Of these, approximately 126 have atmospheric crude distillation capacity, which is the primary process used to separate crude oil into different components.

• A smaller group of about 6 refineries focuses on producing petroleum product blending components rather than processing raw crude from scratch.

The reduction in the number of physical sites does not mean the United States is losing its ability to produce fuel.

In fact, many of the remaining 131 refineries have undergone significant expansions. For example, the Beaumont refinery in Texas recently added enough capacity to rival the output of a medium-sized country.

This consolidation strategy allows the industry to achieve higher efficiency and better margins even as the total number of buildings declines.

The Heart Of The Industry: Refining In Texas

Texas is the clear leader when it comes to refining. As of February 2026, the infrastructure in Texas is so robust that it often sets the price for fuel across the entire country.

Moreover, the Gulf Coast of Texas is lined with massive complexes that handle crude oil from both domestic shale fields and international sources.

Another major reason for the dominance of Texas is its proximity to the Permian Basin, which is currently producing record amounts of oil. This “shale boom” has provided Texas refiners with a steady supply of light, sweet crude oil that is relatively easy and cheap to process into gasoline.

The state’s refineries have been busy upgrading their equipment to handle this specific type of domestic oil.

While the list of Texas refineries is long, it is the scale of these plants that really matters. The Galveston Bay refinery and the Motiva Port Arthur complex are the two largest oil refineries in the US​, each capable of processing over 600,000 barrels of oil every single day. These two sites alone produce a significant percentage of the gasoline used in the United States.

Louisiana And The Mississippi Refining Corridor

Louisiana holds the second spot for the highest number of refineries in the country. Most of these facilities are strategically placed along the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and the Gulf of Mexico. This location allows them to receive crude oil by tanker from overseas or by barge from other parts of the U.S. and then ship the finished products up the river to the Midwest.

The refining sector in Louisiana is a major part of the state’s economy. These plants are known for their complexity, as they are often designed to handle heavier, more sulfur-rich crudes that come from places like the Gulf of Mexico’s offshore wells or Mexico and South America.

In 2026, these refineries remain busy as they balance the processing of heavy international oil with the newer, lighter oils coming from domestic pipelines.

The Garyville refinery is particularly noteworthy. As the fourth-largest refinery in the United States, it represents the modern face of Louisiana’s energy sector. It is one of the most efficient plants in the world and has been a reliable source of supply even as other regions have struggled with fuel shortages.

California And The Shrinking West Coast Refining

California presents a starkly different story than the Gulf Coast. While it still has a significant number of refineries, the state is facing a rapid contraction.

Oil refineries in California are largely “isolated” from the rest of the country because there are no major pipelines carrying oil or gasoline across the Sierra Nevada mountains.

This means the state must produce almost everything it consumes or import it by ship.

In 2026, California is dealing with the fallout of several major closure announcements. Phillips 66 shut down its Wilmington refinery in late 2025, and Valero has announced plans to idle its Benicia refinery by April 2026.

These closures are driven by a combination of high operating costs, strict state environmental rules, and a declining long term demand for gasoline as the state pushes for faster electric vehicle adoption.

The loss of these refineries is a major concern for California drivers. Because the state requires a special, cleaner-burning blend of gasoline, it cannot easily bring in fuel from other states.

Moreover, when a major refinery like Phillips 66 closes, the remaining plants must run at maximum capacity, and any small breakdown can cause gas prices to spike to record levels. Some experts have warned that the shrinking refining base could lead to prices of $8 per gallon by the end of 2026 if imports do not arrive quickly enough to fill the gap.

Major Corporations Leading The US Refining Sector

The refining industry in 2026 is dominated by a few massive companies. These “majors” have the financial strength to weather the ups and downs of the oil market and the billions of dollars needed to maintain and upgrade their facilities.

Marathon Petroleum, Valero Energy, and ExxonMobil are the three largest players, controlling more than half of the total refining capacity in the country.

1. Marathon Petroleum became the largest refiner in the U.S. after its acquisition of Andeavor several years ago. It now operates a diverse fleet of refineries from Alaska to New Jersey.
2. Valero Energy is unique because it is an “independent” refiner, meaning it does not own its own oil wells; it simply buys crude oil and processes it.
3. ExxonMobil, on the other hand, is an “integrated” company that handles everything from drilling for oil to selling gasoline at the pump.

These companies are currently focusing on “capital discipline,” which means instead of building new refineries, they are spending their profits on buying back stock, paying dividends, and making their existing plants more efficient.

This focus on efficiency is one reason why the count of how many oil refineries are in the US is remaining relatively stable, even as some older plants are retired.

The Top 10 Largest Refineries In The United States

The scale of the top ten refineries is difficult to imagine. These are the engines of the American economy. Most are located on the Gulf Coast and have access to massive pipeline networks and deepwater ports.

Following is list of oil refineries in United States with top capacity:

Why 2026 Is A Year Of Closure And Transition

The oil refinery industry is not just shrinking; it is changing its purpose. Many petroleum refineries are finding that their old business model of turning crude oil into gasoline is becoming less profitable.

• The rise of renewable diesel

A major trend is the conversion of traditional refineries into “biorefineries.”

Because of government incentives and a growing demand for cleaner fuels, companies are starting to process vegetable oils and animal fats into renewable diesel.

Phillips 66, for example, converted its Rodeo refinery in California into one of the largest renewable diesel plants in the world with ~50,000 BPD.

This allows the company to keep the facility open and maintain jobs while producing a fuel that has a lower carbon footprint.

• Impact of electric vehicles

The increasing popularity of electric vehicles is another long-term pressure.

While EV growth has slowed slightly in 2026 compared to earlier projections, the general direction is clear. As more people switch to EVs, the demand for traditional gasoline will drop.

This makes it harder for refiners to justify spending billions of dollars on new projects.

Automakers like Ford and GM have shifted some of their investments, but the overall shift away from liquid fuels is a permanent part of the energy conversation.

• Geopolitics and the 2026 oil price surge

In 2026, conflicts in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz caused a massive surge in international oil prices due to oil refinery explosions and attacks. When crude oil prices go up, refineries must pay more for their “raw materials.”

If a refinery cannot raise the price of gasoline fast enough to cover the cost of the crude oil, its “profit margin” shrinks.

In early 2026, some refineries have seen their margins squeezed so tight that they have been forced to slow down production or even temporarily shut down.

This volatility is another reason why some companies are choosing to exit the refining business altogether.

A New Beginning: The Brownsville Refinery Project

While many old refineries are closing, there is a rare piece of news about a new facility.

President Trump recently announced his support for a new refinery to be built at the Port of Brownsville, Texas. This project, led by a company called America First Refining, would be the first major new refinery built in the United States in decades. The project is also designed to process 160,000 barrels per day of American shale oil.

If construction begins as planned in the second quarter of 2026, it could provide a much-needed boost to the number of major oil refineries in the US.

Oil Refining Across The Rest Of US

While the Gulf Coast and California get most of the attention, refineries are active in many other states. These plants are often the only source of fuel for their specific regions.

For example, the Whiting refinery in Indiana is the largest in the Midwest and provides a huge portion of the gasoline used in Chicago and the surrounding states.

In the Rocky Mountain region, refineries in states like Montana, Wyoming, and Utah process local crude oil and provide fuel for a vast, rural area. While these plants are smaller than the giants in Texas, they are vital for local energy independence.

The diversity of refinery locations across the 50 states is what makes the American energy system so resilient to regional disruptions.

Conclusion

In summary, about 131 oil refineries operate in the U.S. as of 2026 with combined capacity is roughly 18.4 million barrels per day.

This huge network, led by Texas and the Gulf Coast, fuels the nation and still ranks #1 globally in throughput. However, industry trends are shifting.

A few plants will continue to close (especially under tight regulations), even as a new Texas refinery looms on the horizon.

Overall, the 2026 refinery count remains in the low-130s, reflecting a mature but vital sector adapting to a changing energy world.

If you found our blog on “How Many Oil Refineries Are In The US” interesting, also read our blog on the largest oil refinery in the world.

And don’t forget to share this with anyone who wants to understand how the US energy system really works!

Maria Isabel Rodrigues

FAQs

1. Which state has the most oil refineries in the US?

Texas has the most oil refineries in the US, with about 34 facilities, followed by Louisiana and California.

2. What is the biggest oil refinery in the US?

The largest oil refinery in the US is the Motiva Port Arthur Refinery in Texas, with a capacity of about 730,000 barrels per day as of 2026. Previously it was the Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas, with a capacity of about 631,000 barrels per day (capacity as of 2018).

3. Are oil refineries increasing or decreasing in the US?

The number of oil refineries in the US is gradually decreasing, but total capacity remains stable at  about 18 million to 18.4 million barrels per day due to expansion of larger plants.