Marathon Petroleum is set to file permits with Louisiana regulators for a major expansion at its Garyville, La., refinery that could cost as much as $2.5 billion. The project was first announced in December, when Marathon officials said the company was evaluating a project that would allow the refinery to produce ultra-low-sulfur diesel from residual oil.
Via the Baton Rouge, La., Advocate, Marathon Senior Vice President of Refining Rich Bedell said construction would begin in mid-2015 if the company decides to move forward with the project, dubbed the Residual Oil Upgrade Expansion (ROUX). A final investment decision is expected by early next year, The Advocate reports.
The Garyville plant is Louisiana’s largest refinery. Marathon completed a $3.9 billion expansion at the refinery in 2009. Bedell said the ROUX project would create 65 new direct jobs and approximately 3,000 construction jobs during the construction phase.
