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Baton Rouge area - our history
1909 – Standard Oil begins construction of new refinery
In the early 1900s, Standard Oil Company of New Jersey sought to strengthen its position in southern United States. After considering several locations, the company chose Baton Rouge, La., and construction of a new refinery began.
why Baton Rouge?
- Near rich oil and gas deposits
- Last deep-water port above the Gulf of Mexico
- On the bluffs of the Mississippi River, presenting a safe harbor for ships without danger of storm or tidal waves
technological firsts
- Early 1930s – basic hydrogenation technology
- 1931 – butyl rubber
- Late 1930s – alkylation technology
- 1942 – the world’s first Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit
- 1994 – SCANfining technology to remove sulfur from gasoline
The transformation from farmland to thriving industrial complex happened over the course of a century. Advanced technology development, spurred by two world wars, helped propel the petrochemical industry and Baton Rouge rapidly forward. Since 1909, the original refinery has become one of the largest and most integrated refining and petrochemical hubs in the world.
During World War II, our butyl rubber production was considered a major contribution to the victory of the Allies, earning Baton Rouge the title of "cradle of the synthetic rubber industry." Also, in 1942, the world’s first Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit went into operation, producing 100 octane aviation fuel, which literally fueled World War II.
active member of the Baton Rouge community
In the 1950s and 60s, the Esso band participated in many city parades and events. Baseball teams representing ExxonMobil’s earlier incarnations, Standard Oil of Louisiana and later, Esso, contributed significantly to the baseball heritage in Baton Rouge. These teams embodied community pride while boosting the city’s spirits during turbulent times. What’s more, M. J. Rathbone, a past manager of the Refinery, helped start the local chapter of Junior Achievement in 1956, and we are still actively involved.
