Fluor Corporation has been selected by America First Refining (AFR) to carry out the front-end engineering and design (FEED) for a large-scale refining facility planned in Brownsville, Texas. The company will record the value of the contract—whose financial details remain undisclosed—in the first quarter of 2026.
Notably, the project marks a significant milestone for the U.S. energy sector. The AFR facility is expected to become the first new refinery built in the United States in more than 50 years, highlighting renewed investment in domestic refining infrastructure.
Refinery to Process Domestic Shale Oil
The proposed facility will incorporate commercially proven refining technologies to process American shale oil efficiently and with improved environmental performance. Once operational, the refinery is expected to process more than 60 million barrels of domestic crude oil annually. By converting shale oil into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, the project aims to strengthen the country’s refining capacity while supporting energy security and cleaner fuel production.
Strengthening U.S. Energy Resilience
The development of the AFR refinery aligns with broader efforts to enhance domestic energy resilience and reduce reliance on imported fuels. By utilizing U.S.-produced shale oil and advanced processing technologies, the facility will contribute to more stable fuel supplies and improved efficiency in refining operations.
Partnership Built on Technical Expertise
Pierre Bechelany, Business Group President of Energy Solutions at Fluor, emphasized the significance of the collaboration. “We are honoured to partner with America First Refining on this landmark U.S. project,” he said. “Together, AFR and Fluor bring deep technical expertise and proven project-delivery capabilities, positioning the project for successful execution,” Bechelany added. He further said that the collaboration demonstrates both companies’ commitment to modernizing the nation’s refining infrastructure and supporting future energy needs.
A Landmark Project for the U.S. Refining Industry
As one of the most significant refinery projects proposed in decades, the Brownsville facility could play an important role in revitalizing the U.S. refining sector. As per the press release, by combining advanced engineering, proven technologies, and domestic feedstocks, the project aims to support long-term fuel demand while advancing cleaner and more efficient refining operations.
