Delta Air Lines has formally taken possession of the Trainer, Pa. refinery. Reports from the Associated Press and Reuters indicate that hundreds of former workers at the Phillips 66 refinery in the Delaware County community are being rehired.
Photo by Franco Folini / Foter
Delta announced the deal to acquire the refinery in late April. The bold move to acquire the refinery generated widespread praise and criticism. The refinery is about 12 miles north of Wilmington, Del.It is close to the nearly shuttered Marcus Hook refinery of Sunoco.
The airline noted that the $150 million cost of the refinery was comparable to the price of one of its new jets. At the same time critics noted that operating problems and crude oil price fluctuations can quickly trigger millions of dollars in losses.
Delta has taken pains to note that experienced oil industry personnel have been hired to operate the refinery.
News that the airline would buy the refinery eased fears that the region would be down to two refineries, operated by PBF Energy in Delaware City, Del. and Paulsboro, N.J. Federal officials had been concerned the lack of refinery capacity could result in shortages.
Still a question mark is the massive Sunoco refinery in Philadelphia, which is slated for a shutdown. However, negotiations have been reported on the sale of the site.
Delta will run the refinery under a new subsidiary, Monroe Energy. The name reflects the history of the airline, which was founded in Monroe, La.
