28-07-09 The book value of Texas-based Valero Energy's Aruba refinery is about $ 1 bn, a company executive said.
Valero has expressed interest in selling the refinery, which has throughput capacity of 235,000 bpd and boasts 63 tanks with almost 12 mm bbl of storage capacity. The plant is still on the market and talks are underway with interested parties, CEO and Chairman Bill Klesse added.

Earlier this month, Valero shut down the refinery due to poor margins. Company COO Rich Marcogliese said Aruba is in a "hot mothball status" as maintenance continues and no employees have been laid off, although some contractors have been let go.
Valero will review in 2-3 months whether to bring the refinery back online, Marcogliese added.

The plant employs roughly 650 people and produces high-yield finished distillate products and intermediate feedstocks.