ExxonMobil has reached an agreement with PBF Energy, Inc. for the sale and purchase of its refinery in Torrance, California, a lubricants distribution center at Vernon, products terminals at Vernon and Atwood, and associated California pipelines and other logistics assets, including facilities at the Southwest terminal.
“The sale results from a strategic assessment of the site and how it fits with our refining portfolio,” said Jerry Wascom, president of ExxonMobil Refining & Supply Company.
“ExxonMobil regularly adjusts its portfolio through investment, restructuring or divestment consistent with overall global and regional business strategies. We remain committed to a large, global refining portfolio as part of our integrated business strategy. We will continue to make significant investments across the globe to strengthen our facilities which are often advantaged by scale and integration with chemicals and lubricant manufacturing.”
Approximately 700 employees and 700 contractors work at the refinery and associated facilities. Employees are expected to be offered positions with PBF and existing third-party supply agreements, obligations, terms and conditions remain unchanged.
Subject to repairs to the refinery’s electrostatic precipitator and regulatory approval, change-in-control is anticipated to take place by mid-2016.
ExxonMobil is retaining a presence in California through ongoing production of oil and natural gas and sales of fuels and lubricant products. Exxon- and Mobil-branded retail sites in the state are unaffected by the agreement.
PBF recently contracted to purchase the Chalmette refinery in Louisiana through a separate, independent bidding process, in which ExxonMobil holds 50 percent interest.
