Valero Energy Corp. will convert its idle 235,000-b/d refinery at Aruba into a products terminal.
Valero Refining Co.-Aruba NV suspended refining operations in March, citing poor refining economics (OGJ Online, Mar. 19, 2012). Until now, it had maintained the facility for possible restart.
It has warned refinery employees about reduced staffing.
Another Caribbean refinery, the 350,000 b/d facility operated by the Hovensa LLC joint venture of Hess Corp. and Petroleo de Venezuela SA at St. Croix, VI, was closed and converted into a terminal earlier this year (OGJ Online, Jan. 18, 2012).