Green Fuels Operating (GFO), an Oklahoma-based leader in low-emission fuel technology, has announced a $110 million investment to transform the historic Evangeline Processing Facility in Acadia Parish, Louisiana, into a next-generation Net Zero Emissions Technology (NZET) refinery. This move not only revitalizes a facility that first opened in 1957 but also positions Louisiana at the forefront of sustainable energy innovation.
The project is set to create 60 new jobs, each offering an average annual salary of $80,000—over 80% higher than the parish’s average wage. GFO plans to develop a 20,000 barrel-per-day refining unit dedicated to producing marine-grade diesel and bunker fuel. The existing facility, equipped with 15 storage tanks totaling over 350,000 barrels in capacity, will remain operational during the development of the new unit.
“Under Louisiana’s ‘all of the above’ energy strategy, it is critical that we keep pace with the changing needs of the industry, including reopening and reenergizing legacy operations like Canal Companies with technology-driven strategies,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “GFO’s innovative NZET technology does just that, and their decision to modernize this historic facility shows that Louisiana is positioned to win, diversifying our thriving energy sector and keeping us a leader in U.S. energy production.”
GFO’s patented NZET system aims to eliminate refinery emissions, enabling the construction of clean refineries within oil-producing communities. “Our revolutionary NZET refining technology solves the 150-year-old problem of refinery emissions, enabling us to build clean refineries in the communities where oil is produced, creating local jobs and energy security,” said GFO CEO Derek Williamson.
The company plans to source local crude to support regional producers, alongside feedstock delivered via pipeline and barge. Additionally, the facility will house a full-scale waste and brine water treatment system, further emphasizing its commitment to environmental responsibility.
Construction is slated to begin in November, with completion anticipated by May 2026. Upon completion, the upgraded facility will further establish GFO as a leader in low-carbon energy production, contributing to Louisiana’s diversified and thriving energy sector.
Local leaders have lauded the investment as a significant boost to the region’s economy and a testament to the community’s potential for new development. “This project brings together innovation, sustainability, and economic opportunity in a way that honors our energy legacy while forging a bold path forward,” said Elizabeth I. Miller, President & CEO of the Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development
