Setting the Bar Higher: A Record Setting Year at the CITGO Lake Charles Refinery

Southwest Louisiana’s economy has long been fueled by innovation, resilience and a skilled industrial workforce.

In 2025, the CITGO Lake Charles Refinery delivered a year that exemplified all three—achieving recordsetting performance levels that underscore the facility’s role as a cornerstone of the region’s economic strength. 

Throughout the year, the refinery reached new operational highs, setting multiple production records across inputs and finished products. Among the most notable milestones was an annual crude processing rate of 458,000 barrels per day (bpd)—the equivalent of over 19 million gallons daily—highlighting the refinery’s ability to operate at exceptional capacity while maintaining stability and control. These achievements reinforce the critical role the refinery plays in delivering transportation fuels that power regional industries and serve consumers. 

What makes these accomplishments especially meaningful is how they were achieved. Success was driven by consistent, month-over-month performance. Several records were broken late in the year, often surpassing benchmarks set just weeks earlier. Equally significant, these results were achieved while base maintenance costs remained among the lowest seen in years. This performance reflects the strong reliability of the facility’s equipment and the careful planning and execution of the team’s work. 

 Behind every barrel processed is a hardworking member of this community. These milestones represent the combined efforts of CITGO employees and contractors across disciplines such as operations, maintenance, engineering, logistics and support functions, each playing a critical role in keeping the refinery running safely and efficiently. Their work not only drives performance within the refinery, but also supports local jobs, supplier partnerships and economic activity throughout Southwest Louisiana. 

Safety continues to be the refinery’s foundation. Even as production reached record levels, the focus never wavered from protecting people, the environment and the surrounding community. That commitment, paired with a culture of continuous improvement, ensures steady and reliable progress. 

The achievements of 2025 serve as more than a reflection of past success—they provide a strong platform for the future. The CITGO Lake Charles Refinery remains focused on setting the standard for performance, reliability and teamwork while continuing to be a dependable economic partner for the community it proudly calls home.