Martinez refinery conversion to renewable fuels facility advances

MARTINEZ, CA – Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s Board of Directors have approved plans to convert its Martinez refinery into a renewable fuels manufacturing facility.

The conversion reflects MPC’s commitment to producing a substantial level of lower carbon-intensity fuels in California.

“Marathon Petroleum is focused on meeting the world’s growing energy needs and reducing its carbon emissions intensity,” MPC President and CEO Michael J. Hennigan said. “Converting the Martinez refinery to a renewable fuels facility is an important addition to our growing portfolio of renewables projects and aligns with our strategic priorities of strengthening the competitive position of our assets, implementing commercial strategy changes and strategically deploying our capital.”

The Martinez facility plans to start producing renewable diesel in 2022. They will build to full capacity by 2023. Engineering work has begun and MPC has applied for relevant permits.

At full capacity, MPC expects the Martinez facility to produce about 730 million gallons per year of renewable fuels – predominantly renewable diesel – from such biobased feedstocks as animal fat, soybean oil and corn oil.

Renewable diesel has a significantly lower carbon footprint than petroleum diesel. The Martinez conversion is also consistent with MPC’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas intensity (emissions per barrel of oil equivalent processed) 30% below 2014 levels by 2030.

MPC estimates its conversion of the Martinez facility from petroleum refining to renewable diesel production will reduce the facility’s manufacturing greenhouse gas emissions by 60%, total criteria air pollutants by 70% and water use by 1 billion gallons every year.

Find additional information about the Martinez Renewable Fuels project on its website.