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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 the southern United States. After considering several locations, the company chose a location high on the bluffs of the Mississippi River in north Baton Rouge. In April 1909, Standard Oil Company of Louisiana was chartered, and by November 1909 the refinery processed its first products.
Why Baton Rouge?
A location in North Baton Rouge on the bluffs of the Mississippi River provided a strategic location on the last deep-water port above the Gulf of Mexico and a safe harbor for ships without danger of flooding. Moreover, rich oil and gas deposits were nearby, and the central location offered vital pipeline connections to the west and north. Baton Rouge, a sleepy river town at the time, was reeling from boll weevil infestation of cotton crops and welcomed the new industry.
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.
Technological firsts
Nov. 15, 2009 – Refinery began processing just seven months after construction started
1920s – research labs adapted basic hydrogenation technology to petroleum refining
1930s – pioneered the alkylation process for the production of high octane aviation fuel, which later provided critical fuel for Allied aircraft in WWII
1940s – Baton Rouge known as "Cradle of Synthetic Rubber Industry," providing much-needed supplies to Allies in WWII
1942 – world’s first Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit went into operation, producing 100 octane aviation fuel, which literally fueled World War II.
1950s – developed "Powerforming" process to help meet rising demand for gasoline
1970s – became one of first facilities to use the Wet Gas Scrubber, now an industry standard for environmental protection
1994 – developed SCANfining technology to remove sulfur from gasoline
A century of partnership with the Baton Rouge community
For more than a century, ExxonMobil and Baton Rouge have partnered in many civic and community endeavors. In its first decade of operations, the Baton Rouge Refinery was a key supporter and founder of the city's first public park, Victory Park, and employees were avid Red Cross volunteers with the two major flood relief efforts and by serving at the local WWI canteen.
In the 1920s and 30s, the company provided the impetus for the growth of several North Baton Rouge neighborhoods and brought thriving businesses to the area. In 1924, the local company paved the path in healthcare by forming Louisiana's first HMO, the Stanocola Medical and Hospital Association.
Throughout the 1940s and 50s, the company led community giving through the United Givers campaign. During this same time, the Esso band participated in many city parades, and Esso baseball teams contributed significantly to the baseball2 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 Achievement3 in 1956, a community partner today.
In the 1980s and 90s, employees forged two well-known volunteer efforts, the Ambassadors Committed to Education (ACE) group to increase students' interest in math and science, and ExC!TE, ExxonMobil Community Involvement Through Employees. Volunteer outreach grew with the company's expansions to the Scotlandville/Baker area with the creation of EMCOT, the ExxonMobil Community Outreach Team. Today, ExxonMobil employees contributed about 40,000 hours of volunteer service each year, and ExxonMobil is the largest local contributor to the Capital Area United Way Campaign.
