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Updated & Reviewed by
Scott Armstrong -
March 31, 2026
Texas is the nation’s leading oil producer. With 35 operating petroleum refineries, Texas has more oil refineries than any other state. It’s also home to some of the country’s largest oil refineries. These Texas petroleum refineries produce millions of barrels of crude oil each day and employ thousands of workers.
If you’re one of the many who work on the oil rigs and platforms in Texas, it’s crucial to understand more about these operations and their associated dangers. Below, we’ll address everything you need to know about Texas oil refineries and what you should do if you’re injured while on the job.
Texas is home to the most oil refineries in the United States. So, how many oil refineries are in Texas? As of 2026, there are 35 operating Texas refinery locations across the state, many of which are located along the Gulf Coast, with major hubs in Houston, Port Arthur, and Corpus Christi. You’ll also find some of the nation’s largest refineries in Texas. In fact, Motiva Port Arthur is considered one of the largest in North America.
The Lone Star State is the nation’s leading oil and natural gas producer, generating roughly 6.3 million barrels of crude oil per day. As the largest refining state in the U.S., Texas accounts for roughly one-third of the country’s total refining capacity.
The region along the Texas Gulf Coast has several oil refinery hubs, which are locations with multiple refineries often connected to one another.
The Houston Ship Channel is one of the largest petrochemical hubs. The ExxonMobil Baytown Complex and Pemex Deer Park both appear on the Houston refineries list.
Port Arthur is another hotspot, featuring Motiva Enterprises, TotalEnergies, and the Valero Port Arthur Refinery. Meanwhile, the Port of Corpus Christi, known as the nation’s largest energy export gateway, is home to Valero, Flint Hills Resources, Buckeye, Magellan, and CITGO.
The following is a list of all the Texas refinery locations:
Texas oil refineries process crude oil, which has a wide range of uses, from heating our homes and fueling our vehicles to generating electricity across the country.
The oil can be refined into fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. However, crude oil can also be converted into petrochemical products, including asphalt, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and even fertilizers. These products are crucial to the U.S., as our country alone accounts for 20% of global petroleum use.
Because Texas has the most oil refineries of any state in the U.S., it’s no surprise that the state has the highest concentration of refinery workers in the country. According to the state’s governor, the Texas oil industry employs 130,000 workers.
These workers include some of the following:
Unfortunately, various injuries and accidents can occur in oil refineries in Texas.
Some common injuries include:
Toxic Exposure
Exposure to toxic chemicals can cause lung damage or could potentially result in leukemia or cancer.
Your injuries may vary depending on the length of your exposure or the concentration level. Sometimes, these injuries may be difficult to detect because symptoms may not appear until months or even years after exposure.
Crush Injuries
Heavy equipment can catch a person’s finger or other parts of the body, causing serious crush injuries.
Crush injuries can result in amputations or other operations that leave workers permanently disabled and unable to work.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Whether you tripped over loose tools that created hazards or stumbled on a walkway without handrails, falls are one of the most common injuries in Texas oil fields.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a severe problem in the oil and gas industry. Oil field workers spend countless hours around loud machinery that, over time, can severely damage employees’ hearing.
According to a 2019 study, 14% of workers in the oil and gas extraction industry exposed to loud noise experienced hearing loss. Explosions and fires can cause severe, traumatic injuries. This can even sometimes result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Overexertion
Lifting loads that are too heavy or improperly moving equipment can cause overexertion, leading to spine injuries, sprains, and strains.
If you have suffered an injury in an accident at one of these Texas petroleum refineries, consider reaching out to us. At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, our skilled oilfield work injury lawyers can assist you in recovering the compensation you need to cover your accident-related expenses.
What causes injuries at Texas oil refineries? Many factors can contribute to an injury in an oil field.
Some possible causes of these injuries could include, but are not limited to:
Our team of skilled attorneys can review your claim and examine your options. We will evaluate your case and fight to help you recover compensation for your injuries.
If you’re injured in a Texas oil refinery, follow these steps:
Learn more about the necessary steps to take after an oilfield accident.
In Texas, you have two options if you have suffered an injury in an oil refinery accident.
The first option is to file a workers’ compensation claim for on-the-job injuries. However, in Texas, not every employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, so you must check whether your employer carries it.
According to the Texas Labor Code, you will have a limited time from the date you suffered an injury to file your claim to recover compensation. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. Note that it will be challenging to bring your claim if you miss this time frame.
The other option is to file a personal injury lawsuit if your employer does not carry workers’ compensation insurance or if your injury was caused by a third party. The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in Texas is two years. It is crucial to meet this deadline.
We want to help you get the legal help and representation you deserve. If you recently suffered injuries from a Texas refinery, fill out the form below about what happened, and we will reach out. Our consultations are free, and our approach focuses on you. We are here to help.
If you are suffering due to an injury at an oil refinery, you are not alone. Contact our experienced attorneys at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP to review your claim. We are committed to achieving results and believe in aggressive advocacy. In the past, our lawyers have secured several multi-million dollar settlements for our clients.
Call us today at 832-956-1646 for more information.
Scott Armstrong is the Managing Partner and co-founder of Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP. Known for his strategic insight and relentless pursuit of justice, Scott personally guides the firm’s approach to complex cases, including catastrophic injuries, vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, and product liability. His leadership has created a culture where excellence, innovation, and dedication to client success are paramount, and his influence is evident in every case the firm handles, often resulting in hundreds of millions recovered for clients.
Texas has 35 operating petroleum refineries, more than any other U.S. state.
The Houston Ship Channel along the Gulf Coast contains the highest concentration of oil refineries in Texas.
The Motiva refinery in Port Arthur is often considered the largest refinery in the United States.
Yes. Workers face risks including explosions, chemical exposure, equipment accidents, and high-temperature environments, which can cause crush injuries, toxic exposures, and hearing loss.
Yes, depending on the circumstances, injured refinery workers may pursue claims against employers, contractors, or equipment manufacturers.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of lawyers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. Our lawyers have more than 20 years of legal experience as personal injury attorneys.
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