But the chances of Pride returning to the refining business are slim at best. When the Pride refinery in Abilene, Texas, announced plans in 1997 to close its oil refining operation, pump mechanic Johnnie Slaughter offered a bit of foresight. In a way his prediction came true. Although Pride remains an active pipeline terminal and fuel distribution point, the machinery needed to refine crude is long gone, as are hundreds of workers. Recently, B.P. Amoco finished dissembling one of Pride's refining units that separated sulfur from diesel, setting it back up again in North Dakota.
Pride hopes to sell off the rest of the unused facility as well.
Now, industry analysts point to the need for more refineries to supply the nation's energy demands. But the chances of Pride returning to the refining business are slim at best, said Brad Stephens, company chairman and chief executive officer. Costs to restart the plant are too high. And even if the plant resumed operations, its refining capacity isn't enough to dent overall supply problems, he said. Slaughter originally planned to move to Corpus Christi to find another refinery job, but decided to stay in the area.