Hawaii’s only refinery suspends purchases of Russian crude oil

(Eagle News) – One of the largest energy networks in Hawaii, Texas-based Par Pacific Holdings, Inc., announced on Thursday, March 3, it is suspending purchases of Russian crude oil for its Hawaii refinery in Kapolei, West Oahu because of “recent geopolitical events.”

“We will continually monitor and evaluate our posture on Russian crude over the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, we are turning to other grades of crude, principally from North and South America, to meet fuel production requirements,” said Par Pacific in a statement. “As the geopolitical situation evolves, we will work closely with our customers and partners in state government to make prudent decisions in support of energy assurance for Hawaii.”

(FILE) Vehicles queue up and await their turn at a members-only gas station in Central Oahu. (Photo by Alfred Acenas, EBC Hawaii-Pacific Bureau, Eagle News Service)

Hawaii Chief Energy Officer Scott Glenn agreed with Par Pacific’s decision.

“We strongly support Par Pacific Holdings, Inc.’s decision to suspend purchasing any more Russian crude oil for Hawaii,” said Glenn. “The Hawaii State Energy Office has been in close contact with Par and other state and industry partners ever since tensions between Russia and Ukraine arose to assure energy supply for Hawaii would not be disrupted.

In Glenn’s statement, he warned residents of a possibly increase in energy prices due to the uncertainty in the global energy markets and emphasized Hawaii’s focus on transitioning to locally produced renewable energy.

Par Pacific reports 94,000 barrels per day (14,945 cubic meters per day) of combined refining capacity, and supplies the major islands of Hawaii and 90 retail locations.

Roughly 25% of the Aloha State’s crude supply comes from Russia.

(With reports from Alfred Acenas, Eagle News Service)