For the first time in five decades, the United States will see the construction of a new oil refinery. America First Refining (AFR) has unveiled plans to build a state-of-the-art facility at the Port of Brownsville, Texas, a move that marks a significant shift in the country's energy industry.
In a statement released on March 10, 2026, AFR described the project as "the largest energy deal in U.S. history." The refinery is part of a broader strategy to secure long-term American energy independence and capitalize on domestic resources.
The project has garnered substantial backing, including a nine-figure investment from a global oil and gas supermajor, whose name remains undisclosed. Groundbreaking for the refinery is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026.
As part of the initiative, AFR signed a binding 20-year offtake term sheet with its supermajor partner in February. Under this agreement, the refinery will:
AFR anticipates that the project will improve the U.S. trade imbalance by $300 billion over its operational lifespan. The company pointed out that between 2014 and 2024, the United States exported nearly 10 billion barrels of crude oil while importing roughly 28 billion barrels, resulting in an imbalance that has cost American consumers and workers over $1.8 trillion. By refining up to 60 million barrels of U.S. crude annually, the new facility aims to address this disparity.
The refinery’s innovative design specifically targets the processing of American light shale oil, an abundant domestic resource. According to AFR, light shale oil is cleaner and more cost-effective to process compared to heavier, imported crude. The facility will rely solely on U.S. crude, eliminating the need for imported oil and boosting national energy security.
"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."
The choice of the Port of Brownsville as the site for the refinery is a strategic one. Its deepwater port capabilities will facilitate the distribution of refined products to both domestic and international markets. Additionally, the refinery is expected to drive significant economic growth in South Texas.
Located in a federally designated Economic Opportunity Zone, the project aims to bring substantial investment to the region. Thousands of high-paying jobs will be created during the construction and operational phases, delivering long-term economic benefits to the area.
With construction set to commence in the coming months, the AFR refinery represents a major development in U.S. energy infrastructure. As the first new refinery in 50 years, it promises to reshape the domestic energy landscape, harnessing American resources to bolster energy independence and create new economic opportunities.
