Company History
U.S. Oil & Refining Co. was organized in 1952 as a privately held corporation, then named Pacific Oil & Refining Co. The company was formed for purpose of building an oil refinery in the Pacific Northwest. In 1954, the refinery's present site in Tacoma, WA was purchased and in 1955 its name was changed to U.S. Oil & Refining Co.
Construction of the initial facility, a 5,000 barrel-per-stream-day ("BPSD") refinery, began during the summer of 1955. Construction was completed in mid 1957 and by the end of that year the refinery was in full operation. A second crude unit, capable of processing heavy crude oil, used in the manufacture of paving grade asphalt, became operational in 1959. Through a continuing series of modifications and upgrades, the refinery has reached its current configuration.
The refinery, with current crude capacity of 35,000 barrels per day, is strategically located on 136 acres in the deep-water Port of Tacoma, Washington. This includes 11.5 waterfront acres with 1,350 feet of waterfront on the Blair Waterway which provides direct access by ocean-going barges and tankers. Five pipelines, varying in size from 8 to 16 inches, connect the refinery and marine terminal. The refinery's products include gasoline, diesel and jet fuels, residual fuels and asphalt. The refinery has direct rail access and is close to both a major interstate highway system and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
U.S. Oil receives all of its crude oil by vessel at its dock. The refinery has storage capacity for approximately one million barrels of crude oil and one million barrels of refined petroleum products. Product distribution facilities include truck & trailer, marine and rail loading for fuels and asphalt in Tacoma, as well as, deliveries of jet fuels to the military via pipeline.
The Company has four operating divisions. These are Manufacturing, Crude Oil Supply and Distribution, Product Supply and Marketing, and Finance and Accounting. A brief description of each division follows:
Manufacturing Division
The Manufacturing Division is the largest division of the Company. Its employees are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the refinery in compliance with all company policies and applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
The Division consists of the following departments: Operations, Maintenance and Construction, and Laboratory Services. The Manufacturing Division also responsible for support functions that includes economics and planning, computer services, engineering, project management, environmental, health and safety, distribution, and purchasing
Crude Oil Supply and Distribution Division
This division is located in Los Angeles, the center of activity for the purchasing and shipment of crude oil on the West Coast. The division monitors the availability of crude oil supplies, negotiates purchase contracts for crude oil and arranges for transportation of crude oil deliveries to the Tacoma refinery.
Product Supply and Marketing Division
This is the sales and commercial arm of the Company. Its staff is responsible for the sale of the products manufactured at the Tacoma refinery. The division consists of two departments: one responsible for the marketing of fuels and feedstock's and one that markets asphalt products.
Finance and Accounting Division
This division's responsibilities include all of the financial aspects of the Company's business, ranging from liaison with the financial community to the traditional treasury and controller functions typically found in a privately held corporation.
