Shell Chemicals Plant and Shell Refinery

AKA Motiva Enterprises, Norco, LA

Jobsite

The Norco Manufacturing Complex covers approximately 1,000 acres and houses a refinery and a chemical plant which are owned wholly or in part by Shell Oil Company.  The site, which was originally owned by the New Orleans Refining Company (NORCO), began operating in 1920.  Still in operation, the plant employs approximately 1,200 employees.

Address or general location

On approximately 1,000 acres along River Road, Norco, LA

Detail

New Orleans Refining Company purchased 366 acres of a former sugar cane plantation in 1916 with the intention of creating a petroleum supply terminal at the location.  The purchase of the land by the New Orleans Refining Company led to the naming of the town: Norco.  The facility began operating in 1920.  In 1929, the Shell Petroleum Corporation (later known as Shell Oil Company) acquired the refinery.  The chemical plant portion of the complex was added in 1955.  Although still owned in part by Shell Oil, the refinery was renamed as the Shell Norco Refining Company in 1998 and became a division of Motiva Enterprises.  Motiva Enterprises is a joint venture between Shell Oil Company and Saudi Aramco.  

The refinery produces gasoline, aviation fuel, diesel and anode grade coke.  The chemical plant produces ethylene, propylene, butadiene and aromatic feedstocks.