Blue Dolphin considers option to buy Ingleside, Tex., refinery

June 13, 2012
Houston independent Blue Dolphin Energy Co. bought a 180-day option to acquire an idled refinery in Ingleside, Tex., from a unit of Lazarus Energy Holdings LLC (LEH).

Houston independent Blue Dolphin Energy Co. bought a 180-day option to acquire an idled refinery in Ingleside, Tex., from a unit of Lazarus Energy Holdings LLC (LEH).

Lazarus Texas Refinery I LLC currently owns the refinery, which has operated intermittently since 1980.

The Ingleside refinery had a capacity of 40,000 b/d when in operation. It has access to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway at Redfish Bay near Corpus Christi, Tex.

If Blue Dolphin exercises its purchase option, the refinery will require refurbishing and recommissioning, Blue Dolphin said.

Blue Dolphin also owns the Nixon refinery in Nixon, Tex., in Wilson County. The Nixon refinery processes 10,000 b/d of light crude oil from the Eagle Ford Shale play.

About the Author

Paula Dittrick | Senior Staff Writer

Paula Dittrick has covered oil and gas from Houston for more than 20 years. Starting in May 2007, she developed a health, safety, and environment beat for Oil & Gas Journal. Dittrick is familiar with the industry’s financial aspects. She also monitors issues associated with carbon sequestration and renewable energy.

Dittrick joined OGJ in February 2001. Previously, she worked for Dow Jones and United Press International. She began writing about oil and gas as UPI’s West Texas bureau chief during the 1980s. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska in 1974.