Motiva-Port Arthur Refinery – Emissions Trend

Port Arthur, TX · 2019–2023 · Parent: Aramco Services Co

This page assembles 5 consecutive years of EPA Toxics Release Inventory Form R filings for Motiva-Port Arthur Refinery, spanning 2019–2023. Each annual total aggregates on-site air emissions, surface-water discharges, land disposal, and off-site transfers reported by the facility under EPCRA Section 313, which requires disclosure whenever a listed chemical is manufactured, processed, or otherwise used above threshold quantities.

Reported releases opened at 492.0K in 2019 and closed at 498.4K in 2023 – a flat trend of 1.3% over the window. The chart below stacks the four TRI release media (air, water, land, off-site) and overlays the yearly total. The top contributor by cumulative mass is Hydrogen cyanide at 1.5M, followed by Ammonia at 304.8K.

Because TRI figures are estimated, not metered, year-over-year deltas can reflect methodology revisions, ownership changes, or shifts in what a facility classifies as reportable, not only physical emission changes. Treat the trajectory as a disclosure record, and cross-reference with the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) system for the fuller regulatory picture on this petroleum facility.

Overall Trend
→ Stable (+1.3%)
2019 Total
492.0K lbs
2023 Total
498.4K lbs

Total Releases by Category

Air
Water
Land
Offsite Transfer
0111.2K222.4K333.6K444.8K556.0K 20192020202120222023 Pounds Released

Year-over-Year Comparison

Year Total Chemicals YoY Change
2019 492.0K lbs 27 -
2020 421.1K lbs 31 -14.4%
2021 528.3K lbs 31 +25.5%
2022 556.0K lbs 28 +5.2%
2023 498.4K lbs 28 -10.3%

Top Chemicals by Year

Chemical 20192020202120222023 Total
Hydrogen cyanide 330.4K 226.0K 279.2K 310.7K 312.5K 1.5M
Ammonia 36.9K 60.8K 73.3K 77.1K 56.7K 304.8K
Toluene 37.8K 32.8K 34.1K 34.8K 33.2K 172.7K
Hydrogen sulfide 27.6K 27.6K 26.9K 37.9K 26.0K 146.0K
n-Hexane 6.7K 23.9K 49.0K 32.9K 16.2K 128.7K
Xylene (mixed isomers) 21.9K 18.5K 19.6K 19.3K 18.5K 97.9K
Benzene 11.1K 10.7K 12.6K 12.3K 11.8K 58.5K
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene 7.2K 6.4K 6.6K 6.3K 6.5K 33.0K
Propylene 1.8K 3.7K 11.5K 10.2K 4.5K 31.7K
Ethylbenzene 5.0K 4.1K 4.5K 5.3K 4.1K 23.0K
Naphthalene 2.8K 2.9K 3.3K 3.5K 5.7K 18.1K
Ethylene 210 1.5K 5.5K 1.9K 780 9.9K
Cumene 682 359 411 2.3K 375 4.2K
Hydrochloric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size) 666 730 729 748 723 3.6K
Lead compounds 404 326 - 452 - 1.2K

About This Data

Trend data is sourced from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Facilities report annually. Release quantities are self-reported estimates. Year-over-year changes may reflect changes in production, pollution control measures, reporting methodology, or chemical thresholds.

A decrease in reported releases does not necessarily indicate improved environmental performance, as it may reflect production cutbacks, facility closures, or changes in reporting requirements. Similarly, increases may reflect expanded production rather than degraded environmental practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Motiva-Port Arthur Refinery getting cleaner or dirtier?
Based on EPA TRI data from 2019–2023, Motiva-Port Arthur Refinery's total toxic releases have remained relatively stable.
What time period does this trend data cover?
This page shows 5 years of EPA Toxic Release Inventory data from 2019–2023. Release quantities are self-reported estimates filed annually by the facility.