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North America’s refiners are currently operating at record-high output as Secretary of Energy Chris Wright promises to lay out a step-by-step plan via ‘The Great American Energy Comeback’ to help US refiners produce more fuel, boost energy security and reduce costs for consumers.

From investments in refinery optimisation and capacity expansion, to the scaling of renewable fuels and the emergence of new refining projects, the industry’s priorities are constantly evolving in order to maintain dominance on the global market.

Our goal at NARTC is not just to bring these conversations together at our annual conference, it is to stay connected to the market throughout the year, tracking the trends, investments and leadership decisions that are shaping the future of downstream energy across North America.

Three recent announcements involving NARTC speakers demonstrate the scale of investment, innovation and ambition currently underway across the sector.

Strategic Investments Reinforce Confidence in Refining’s Future

Significant investment is being directed towards enhancing and optimising existing refining assets. A clear example is CITGO’s $310 million investment into The Depentanizer Project at its Lake Charles refinery. Designed to increase naphtha upgrading capabilities and improve processing flexibility, the investment will enable the refinery to convert lower-value streams into higher-value gasoline blending components while strengthening the facility’s ability to process domestic light crude.

For many across the industry, the announcement sends a clear signal: refiners continue to invest in reliability, efficiency and operational performance to meet long-term fuel demand.

Joining the Best-In-Class on Refining Fundamentals panel discussion at NARTC 2027 will be Sterling Neblett, VP & General Manager, Lake Charles Refinery, CITGO.

““Investing in an existing refinery means planning for tomorrow while continuing to deliver today. At Lake Charles, the Depentanizer Project is moving forward alongside the maintenance and turnaround work essential to safe, reliable operations. That takes disciplined planning and close coordination with our employees, contractors and business partners. It is also an investment in the people and capabilities that will sustain our refinery, and the communities connected to it, for years to come.”

With construction scheduled through to 2029, the project reflects the long-term thinking required to maintain competitiveness in an increasingly complex operating environment. Capital allocation, operational flexibility and refinery optimisation are expected to remain key themes throughout the NARTC programme, providing attendees with practical insights from companies making significant investments today.

Refining Redefined: A New Chapter for US Refining

Perhaps no project has attracted more attention across the North American downstream sector than America First Refining’s planned refinery development at the Port of Brownsville, Texas.

Described as the first major greenfield refinery project in the United States in nearly 50 years, the $4 billion development is targeting processing capacity of approximately 168,000-200,000 B/D of domestic light sweet crude. The project’s hydrogen-powered operating model and focus on lower-emission fuel production have positioned it as one of the industry’s most closely watched developments.

With fundraising progressing and a final investment decision expected in 2027, the project represents a significant moment for US refining and domestic energy infrastructure.

At NARTC 2027, delegates will hear directly from John Calce, Founder & CEO, America First Refining, whose vision of “Refining Redefined” is challenging conventional thinking around what the next generation of refining facilities could look like.

 “The future of American refining is about building infrastructure that reflects the energy landscape of today and the needs of tomorrow. For us, ‘Refining Redefined’ means taking a fresh approach to refinery design, integrating commercially proven technologies, and maximizing the value of American energy resources. At America First Refining, we are developing the first new major U.S. refinery in more than 50 years, purpose-built to process American light shale oil. This project represents an opportunity to strengthen domestic energy security, increase refining efficiency, and create lasting economic opportunities. But projects of this scale cannot happen in isolation. Collaboration among engineering, technology, and industry partners is essential to advancing innovation, sharing expertise, and delivering the next generation of American refining infrastructure.”

As the industry assesses future capacity requirements, technological innovation and energy security priorities, projects like America First Refining are certain to provoke debate and inspire discussion among refinery leaders, operators and technology providers alike.

Renewable Fuels Continue Moving from Ambition to Scale

Despite a rapidly changing energy and regulatory landscape, refiners across North America continue to invest in renewable fuel assets, moving beyond targets and into execution.

Earlier this year, Phillips66 celebrated the delivery of 11 million gallons of SAF to United Airlines in partnership with Microsoft from its Wood River Refinery. The project is expected to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 100,000 metric tonnes while demonstrating how traditional refining assets can play a critical role in supporting lower-carbon transportation fuels. This achievement highlights the growing importance of integrated operations and strategic partnerships for the growth of renewable fuels infrastructure across North America.

As refiners continue balancing energy security, profitability and decarbonisation goals, few energy transition topics will generate more discussion than the commercial realities of scaling renewable fuels. Suresh Vaidyanathan, VP Renewable Fuels and Jessica Roman, Chief Sustainability Officer from Phillips 66 will both be joining the speaker line-up in Houston this February.

NARTC 2027 continues to serve as a platform where market developments, operational expertise and strategic leadership come together, and these stories represent only a snapshot of the developments shaping North America’s most on the pulse conference.

Join Sterling Neblett, John Calce, Jessica Roman, Suresh Vaidyanathan and 450+ downstream decision-makers at NARTC 2027 as we explore the technologies, investments and strategies defining the next era of North American refining.