KEY POINTS
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America First Refining (AFR) will build the first new U.S. oil refinery in 50 years at the Port of Brownsville, Texas.
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AFR secured a 20-year deal to process 1.2 billion barrels of U.S. light shale oil, valued at $125 billion, and produce 50 billion gallons of refined products, worth $175 billion.
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Designed exclusively for American light shale oil, the refinery is anticipated to reduce reliance on imported crude, strengthen national security, and create jobs in South Texas.
For the first time in half a century, the United States is set to build a new oil refinery. America First Refining (AFR) announced a historic project that will reshape domestic energy production. The company plans to construct the facility at the Port of Brownsville, Texas.
AFR said in a March 10, 2026, statement, that the project represents “the largest energy deal in U.S. history” and signals a strategic shift toward long-term American energy independence.
Backed by a nine-figure investment from one of the world’s largest publicly traded and investor-owned oil and gas companies, or supermajors, AFR said it would break ground on the project in the second quarter of 2026.
A Landmark Agreement for the U.S. Economy
The scope of the agreement is massive. In February, AFR signed a binding 20-year agreement, called an offtake term sheet, with its (unnamed) global supermajor partner.
Under the deal, the planned Brownsville facility will:
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Purchase and process 1.2 billion barrels of U.S. light shale oil, a value of around $125 billion.
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Produce 50 billion gallons of refined products, valued at around $175 billion.
By localizing this entire process, AFR expects the project to improve the U.S. trade imbalance by $300 billion.
In a statement, AFR said that between 2014 and 2024, the United States exported nearly 10 billion barrels of crude oil while importing roughly 28 billion barrels. This imbalance, it calculated, costs American consumers and workers more than $1.8 trillion.
The new AFR refinery aims to address the imbalance by redirecting up to 60 million barrels of U.S. crude back into domestic refining each year.
Built for American Light Shale Oil
A core part of the project is its design and engineering. The new refinery design will exclusively process American light shale oil, which company officials said is cleaner, more efficient, and costs less to process than heavier imported crude.
Because the facility relies entirely on domestic shale, it does not require imported crude oil. This independence strengthens national security while allowing the plant to produce some of the cleanest gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel refined at scale in the country.
“This is one of the most important energy infrastructure projects in America today,” said Trey Griggs, President of America First Refining.
“The United States has a surplus of light shale oil, but a shortage of refining capacity designed to process it. By building this refinery at the Port of Brownsville, we’re unlocking a major expansion of American energy production while creating thousands of high-paying jobs and strengthening our domestic supply chain.”
Strategic Location, Economic Driver
The company added that the Texas location is strategic, as the Port of Brownsville is deepwater, enabling distribution to domestic and international markets.
Beyond national energy security, the project will also drive economic growth in South Texas.
The Port of Brownsville sits in a federally designated Economic Opportunity Zone. The refinery’s construction and operation are anticipated to create thousands of jobs with above-market wages, delivering long-term investment to the region.
A stock image of the Port of Brownsville, TX. America First Refining (AFR) said it would build the first new U.S. oil refinery in 50 years at the location. Image: Shutterstock
What’s Next
General contractors, suppliers, and construction trades can closely track the project for further updates and announcements as it moves toward groundbreaking.
With thousands of jobs and major infrastructure needs ahead, staying informed could open doors for businesses and individuals looking to participate in this energy infrastructure opportunity for growth and regional development.
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