President Donald Trump announced on March 10, 2026, that America First Refining will build the first new major oil refinery in the United States in 50 years. The facility will be located at the Port of Brownsville in Brownsville, Texas. The project involves a $300 billion partnership with Reliance Industries, India’s largest privately held energy company.
Trump made the announcement through a post on Truth Social. He described the deal as historic and the biggest in U.S. history. He stated that America First Refining is opening the refinery to process 100% American shale oil into cleaner fuels. The refinery will supply U.S. markets, support global exports, strengthen national security, and create thousands of jobs in South Texas.
The announcement came amid efforts to restore U.S. energy dominance. No new major grassroots refinery had been built in the U.S. since the 1970s due to regulatory barriers, environmental restrictions, and high costs. Existing refineries have expanded capacity through modifications, but none represent a full new build on this scale. The last significant new refinery construction ended around the mid-1970s, with projects stalled by permitting delays and opposition from environmental groups.
America First Refining leads the project. The company secured a landmark 20-year offtake agreement and capital investment tied to the construction. The refinery will process approximately 168,000 barrels per day of crude oil.
- It will produce 50 billion gallons of refined products over its operational life.
- The production carries an estimated value of $175 billion.
Officials project the project will improve the U.S. trade imbalance by $300 billion through reduced reliance on foreign refined products and increased domestic output.
Reliance Industries provides major investment support. The company operates the world’s largest refining complex in Jamnagar, India. Trump thanked Reliance and its partners in India for the investment. The partnership aligns with efforts to attract foreign capital to U.S. infrastructure while prioritizing American resources and workers.
President Donald J. Trump announces that America First Refining is opening the FIRST new U.S. Oil Refinery in 50 YEARS in Brownsville, Texas. 🇺🇸
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 10, 2026
This is what AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE looks like. 💪 pic.twitter.com/UTOW7wECCI
The project builds on prior attempts to develop refining capacity at the Port of Brownsville site. Earlier proposals under names like Element Fuels Holdings faced delays. The concept was revived in recent years, with plans for a hydrogen-powered facility capable of processing around 160,000 barrels per day. The current version under America First Refining advances with streamlined approvals linked to President Trump’s energy policies.
Trump’s administration declared a national energy emergency early in his term to address inadequate domestic energy supply and infrastructure. Executive actions focused on removing bureaucratic obstacles, expediting permits, and prioritizing domestic production.
- These measures included reforms to facilitate leasing, development, and refining on federal lands.
- They also targeted key regions critical to energy production.
The Brownsville refinery announcement reflects the results of those policies in attracting large-scale private investment.
The refinery will focus on processing American shale oil from domestic sources. This approach reduces dependence on imported crude and refined products. It supports energy independence by expanding refining capacity tailored to U.S. light sweet crude from shale plays. The facility is described as the cleanest refinery in the world, incorporating advanced technologies to minimize emissions and meet modern environmental standards.
Economic impacts center on South Texas. The Port of Brownsville region will see direct job creation during construction and operations.
- Thousands of positions will emerge in engineering, construction, maintenance, and support services.
- The project delivers billions in economic activity through wages, taxes, and local spending.
It strengthens the regional economy in an area with high unemployment potential without such developments.
The $300 billion figure encompasses total investment, including capital costs, infrastructure, and long-term commitments. It includes the 20-year offtake for 1.2 billion barrels of U.S. shale oil, valued at approximately $125 billion. The deal offsets trade imbalances, particularly with India, by channeling investment into U.S. assets and boosting exports of refined products.
Trump framed the project as a win for American workers and energy security. He linked it to his America First agenda, which prioritizes domestic production over foreign dependence. The announcement highlights success in drawing international partners to invest in U.S. infrastructure while ensuring benefits flow to American industry and communities.
Construction timelines and exact startup dates remain under development. Earlier related proposals pointed to operations potentially starting around 2031. The current partnership accelerates progress through committed funding and policy support.
This refinery marks a turning point in U.S. energy infrastructure after decades of stagnation in new builds.
The $300 billion partnership with Reliance Industries secures America’s path to energy dominance and protects national interests from foreign supply vulnerabilities.
