September 04, 2026 [Storage Terminals Magazine]- Matrix Service Company has been awarded a front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract by America First Refining (AFR) for the storage tank farm at the company’s planned large-scale refining facility in Brownsville, Texas.

The award represents a step towards AFR reaching a Final Investment Decision (FID) on the project.

The proposed facility is expected to process approximately 60 million barrels of domestic crude annually. If completed, AFR says it would be the first new major refinery constructed in the United States in more than 50 years.

The storage tank farm will provide infrastructure for the handling and storage of crude feedstocks and refined petroleum products, supporting the refinery’s planned operations.

Matrix Service Company President and CEO Shawn P. Payne said the company’s selection reflects its experience in storage terminals and related infrastructure.

“We are proud to have been selected by America First Refining for this critical step in advancing this landmark project,” Payne said.

AFR Founder and Chairman John Calce said Matrix would join the project’s wider group of engineering and infrastructure partners.

The Brownsville refinery is being developed to process US-produced light shale oil and is designed to manufacture products including ultra-low-sulfur diesel, jet fuel and specialised gasoline.

According to AFR, the project will use commercially proven refining technologies in an integrated configuration, with the company positioning the facility as part of efforts to increase domestic refining capacity and energy independence.

The project is being developed in Brownsville, Texas, although AFR has not yet reached a Final Investment Decision.