The ExxonMobil Baytown Group III base stock project begins construction

ExxonMobil has commenced construction on a significant expansion of Group III base stock production at its Baytown complex in Texas, aiming to address growing global demand for high-performance lubricant base oils used in automotive and industrial applications.

The project forms part of ExxonMobil’s broader Baytown Refinery Expansion and will boost the company’s capacity to supply both Group III and Group II base stocks. Upon completion, the expansion is expected to add approximately 8,000 barrels per day of Group III capacity, enhancing supply availability for the North American market.

Demand for Group III base stocks continues to rise as stricter emissions standards, improved engine efficiency, and extended oil drain intervals drive the need for higher-quality lubricant formulations. These base oils are increasingly used across a wide range of applications, including passenger and commercial vehicles, industrial machinery, agricultural equipment, and wind energy systems.

Basel Al-Agbhar, Vice President of ExxonMobil Basestocks and Waxes, said the groundbreaking marks an important milestone in expanding the company’s base stock portfolio to meet evolving customer requirements. He noted that the investment underscores ExxonMobil’s long-term commitment to large-scale manufacturing and dependable supply.

ExxonMobil said the Baytown expansion builds on recent investments across its global base oil network, including the Singapore Resid Upgrade Project and the introduction of Group III production at its Rotterdam refinery in the Netherlands. Collectively, these initiatives are intended to enhance flexibility and resilience within the company’s global base stock supply chain.

At the Baytown facility, ExxonMobil plans to optimize operating rates and product yields by redirecting some output from gasoline toward higher-demand diesel fuels and higher-value lubricant base stocks. Construction is expected to continue through the decade, with startup targeted for 2028.

Operational since 1918, the Baytown site remains a cornerstone of ExxonMobil’s global manufacturing operations. The company said the expansion is expected to generate more than 1,000 construction jobs and deliver additional tax revenues to the local community. ExxonMobil added that the project will help support lubricant manufacturers amid increasing supply-chain pressures stemming from market volatility, regulatory shifts, and geopolitical uncertainty.

The detailed article is published by https://www.exxonmobil.com/en/basestocks can be accessed from https://www.exxonmobil.com/en/basestocks/news-insights-and-resources/baytown-groundbreaking