BROWNSVILLE, Texas (Diya TV) — Donald Trump said the United States will see its first newly built oil refinery in nearly 50 years with support from investment linked to Reliance Industries Ltd., the Indian conglomerate led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani.
The refinery project, planned near the Port of Brownsville along the U.S.-Mexico border, could mark a major development in the American energy sector. Trump highlighted the investment in a post on the social media platform Truth Social on Tuesday. He said the project would strengthen U.S. energy capacity, support domestic refining, and create new economic opportunities in Texas.
Trump said the new refinery will operate under a company called America First Refining. He described the project as a major milestone for the country’s energy infrastructure.
“I am proud to announce that America First Refining is opening the FIRST new U.S. Oil Refinery in 50 YEARS in Brownsville, Texas,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The planned refinery will have a capacity of about 168,000 barrels per day. Developers expect construction to begin in the second quarter of 2026. Energy experts say the project could help the U.S. process more domestic crude oil and strengthen supply chains. The refinery will sit near the Port of Brownsville, a strategic location close to shipping routes and the U.S.-Mexico border.
Trump also pointed to investment support from India’s largest company, Reliance Industries Ltd. While the official statement from America First Refining identified the investor only as a “global supermajor,” Trump named Reliance directly in his post. According to the announcement, Reliance has made a “nine-figure investment” in the project at a “ten-figure valuation.”
The company has also signed a binding 20-year offtake agreement. This deal means Reliance will purchase petroleum products produced by the refinery once operations begin. Reliance Industries runs one of the world’s largest refining networks. Its flagship refining complex in Jamnagar processes between 1.4 million and 1.6 million barrels of oil per day.
Shares of Reliance Industries Ltd. moved higher early after Trump’s announcement. The stock rose as much as 1.78% to ₹1,434 per share on the National Stock Exchange of India.
However, the gains faded later in the session. The stock eventually traded about 0.54% lower, even as the broader Nifty 50 declined by around 0.50%. Analysts said investors may still wait for more details about the refinery project before reacting strongly. Market participants also noted that Reliance has not yet issued a detailed statement about the investment.
The new refinery could address an important challenge in the U.S. energy industry. Many existing refineries along the Gulf Coast were built decades ago. They were designed to process heavier crude oil imported from abroad. However, the U.S. shale boom has produced large volumes of lighter crude oil. Older refineries often struggle to process these lighter grades efficiently.
A new facility could help balance this mismatch. By adding modern refining capacity, the project could improve the country’s ability to process a wider range of crude oil. Developers say the refinery could also reduce the U.S. trade deficit. When fully operational, the project could offset up to $300 billion in trade imbalance through increased energy production and exports.
Reliance Industries Ltd. has expanded its global energy footprint in recent years. The company’s refining and petrochemical operations remain a key part of its business. Reliance operates the massive Jamnagar refining complex in India, which can process nearly any type of crude oil. This flexibility allows the company to handle both light and heavy crude grades.
The company recently secured a U.S. license to import crude from Venezuela. Venezuelan crude is heavy and sulfur-rich, which fits well with the configuration of the Jamnagar facilities. Energy analysts say this capability gives Reliance an advantage in global refining markets.
Developers expect construction on the Texas refinery to start in 2026. If the project moves forward as planned, it would become the first newly built oil refinery in the United States since the 1970s. The project still needs regulatory approvals and further development planning.
Still, Trump’s announcement has already drawn attention from energy markets and policymakers. Industry experts say the refinery could play an important role in shaping the future of U.S. oil refining and global energy partnerships.
