Gov. Phil Bryant and officials from Chevron Corporation celebrated the completion of the $1.4 billion Pascagoula Base Oil Project in Pascagoula, Mississippi on August 21. In the July 28, 2014 issue of the OEM/Lube News, in our story Commercial Production Begins at Chevron’s New Pascagoula Base Oil Plant, we reported that the plant began shipping base oil this past July.

Completion of this project positions Chevron as the world’s largest producer of premium base oil, nearly doubling the company’s capacity, including oils produced in Richmond, Calif., and a joint venture facility with GS Caltex in South Korea.

“I congratulate Chevron on the completion of this very important project and for their significant investment in the state,” Gov. Bryant said. “The Pascagoula Base Oil Project shows the world that Mississippi offers global companies like Chevron abundant opportunities for growth and expansion. We are extremely proud to have such an excellent facility in Mississippi, and I wish Chevron many years of successful production on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”

“Lubricants are a high growth business supporting economic development worldwide,” said Mike Wirth, executive vice president, Chevron Downstream & Chemicals. “The addition of the Pascagoula plant to Chevron’s base oil network enhances Chevron’s reputation as a reliable and flexible base oil supplier globally.”

The facility is designed to manufacture 25,000 barrels per day of API Group II base oils used in products like top-tier motor oil, lubricants and greases for machinery and equipment in the commercial and industrial sectors.

The Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance in support of the project.

“We appreciate Chevron for placing its trust in Mississippi and in our workforce,” said MDA Executive Director Brent Christensen. “This project would not have been possible without the support of leadership on the local and state level, who continue to show the world that Mississippi’s collaborative spirit makes it a top destination for global companies like Chevron.”

Base oils from the new facility will supply customers in the United States, Europe and Latin America.