LEGACY AND HORIZON THE CITGO LAKE CHARLES REFINERY’S EIGHTY YEARS OF STEWARDSHIP In the early 1940s, the U.S. Armed Forces required a facility to produce fuel for their war efforts. In response, Cities Service Oil Company began construction on a facility to refine crude oil into fuel for U.S. bombers. The success of the facility hinged on several factors: a minimum of 600 acres with expansion potential, the capacity to process 70,000 barrels of crude daily, stable land for unit construction, a substantial ship channel for large crude tankers and affordable natural gas to fuel the refinery. Rose Bluff, a land area just 29 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, met this site selection criteria. At 18 feet above sea level, it’s the highest point on the Calcasieu Ship Channel. The new refinery’s construction required suitable housing for the incoming employees and their families. The Maplewood community evolved from a workforce housing area into a vibrant community that today remains home to generations of families. Since 1944, the refinery has been a cornerstone of the Southwest Louisiana community. It has positively impacted the economy and nurtured generations of dedicated workers. Today, the plant, formerly known as Cities Service, still produces aviation fuel, along with gasoline, diesel and other products. CITGO Lake Charles takes pride in its World War II American history and the history yet to be made. “We’ve reached new production milestones,” says Sterling Neblett, vice president and general manager of the CITGO Lake Charles Refinery.“Innovative changes in operations have made us more efficient than ever before.” The demand for the oil and gas industry remains high, driven not only by traditional fuel needs but also by the need to produce materials for everyday items such as household goods, cell phones, plastics, tires and more. To meet consumer and industry demands, CITGO Lake Charles is adding over 70 positions to a staff of over 1,100 in safety, operations, maintenance, engineering and other support areas. A key to the refinery’s success is its community commitment, including robust local education support. Since its 2016 launch, the CITGO STEM Talent Pipeline has enhanced students’ access to science, technology, engineering and math through grants, classroom presentations and hands-on demonstrations. In Calcasieu Parish, the CITGO Innovation Academy offers a STEM-based curriculum to students in K-12 grade. The hope is that these students will continue their education locally and eventually join the local industry workforce. CITGO employees foster growth and unity through active volunteerism. For decades, TeamCITGO volunteers have donated thousands of hours to charitable organizations that enhance Southwest Louisiana residents’ lives. In 2023, Lake Charles Refinery employees pledged nearly $1 million from their own pockets toward the annual giving campaign benefiting United Way of Southwest Louisiana. “When it comes to caring for our community, our employees take it seriously because we all live here, work here and raise our families here.” Neblett concludes.
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