California Oil Refineries: Overview and Status
Executive Summary
California’s oil refining industry faces unprecedented challenges with 17% of capacity set to
close by 2026, creating critical supply vulnerabilities. The state currently operates 13
major refineries with a combined capacity of approximately 1.68 million barrels per
day, but this will drop to 1.4 million barrels per day after planned closures.
With daily consumption averaging 1.4 million barrels, California’s safety buffer will
essentially disappear, creating a precarious supply situation.
Current Refinery Capacity and Operations
Operating Refineries (2025)
| Refinery |
Capacity (bbl/day) |
Status |
| Chevron Richmond |
245,000 |
Operating |
| Chevron El Segundo |
269,000 |
Operating |
| Phillips 66 Los Angeles |
139,000 |
Closing Q4 2025 |
| Phillips 66 Rodeo |
120,000 |
Converted to Renewable |
| Phillips 66 Santa Maria |
44,000 |
Operating |
| Valero Benicia |
145,000 |
Closing April 2026 |
| Valero Wilmington |
85,000 |
Operating |
| Marathon Martinez (PBF Energy) |
161,500 |
Restarting (Fire 2024) |
| Tesoro Carson |
266,000 |
Operating |
| Tesoro Golden Eagle Martinez |
170,000 |
Operating |
| Tesoro Wilmington |
97,000 |
Operating |
| Torrance Refining Company |
155,000 |
Operating |
| Kern Oil Bakersfield |
28,000 |
Operating |
Total Capacity (2025): 1,924,500 barrels/day
Capacity Closing by 2026: 284,000 barrels/day
Capacity After Closures: 1,640,500 barrels/day
Crude Oil Sources and Transportation Methods
| Source |
Percent |
Transport |
| California In-State |
23.3 |
Pipeline |
| Alaska (ANS) |
13.3 |
Jones Act Tanker |
| Iraq |
22.3 |
Foreign Flag Tanker |
| Ecuador |
16.9 |
Foreign Flag Tanker |
| Saudi Arabia |
16.4 |
Foreign Flag Tanker |
| Brazil |
8.0 |
Foreign Flag Tanker |
| Guyana |
8.0 |
Foreign Flag Tanker |
| Colombia |
7.0 |
Foreign Flag Tanker |
| Other Foreign |
8.1 |
Foreign Flag Tanker |
Refinery Products and Distribution
| Product |
Primary Markets |
Transport Method |
| CARB Gasoline |
CA, NV, AZ |
Pipeline, Truck |
| Diesel Fuel |
CA, Interstate Commerce |
Pipeline, Truck, Rail |
| Jet Fuel |
CA Airports, Military |
Pipeline |
| Asphalt |
CA Construction |
Truck |
| Other Products |
Various |
Various |
Jones Act Compliant Tanker Fleet Analysis
| Vessel Category |
Number of Vessels |
Primary Service |
California Service |
| MR Product Tankers |
48 |
US Product Transport |
Renewable Diesel, Products |
| Large Crude Tankers |
11 |
Alaska Crude to West Coast |
Primary ANS Crude Supply |
| Smaller Product Tankers |
44 |
Distribution (East Coast) |
Limited |
| Total Jones Act Tankers |
57 |
Oil Transportation |
Alaska Crude + Products |
| All Jones Act Vessels |
98 |
All Maritime Commerce |
Various |
Strategic Recommendations and Outlook
Critical vulnerabilities include elimination of capacity buffer by 2026, import
dependency, and limited Jones Act fleet capacity. Risk mitigation options include increasing imports,
government intervention to keep refineries online, and use of strategic reserves during disruptions.
Future industry structure likely requires stable capacity around 1.4–1.5 million barrels/day and
increased dependence on foreign crude and refined product imports, especially as California transitions
away from petroleum refining.
