Downstream

Developing next-generation alternative fuels to meet the world’s growing energy needs

In May 2020, Global Clean Energy acquired a dormant 500+ acre crude oil refinery in Bakersfield, California – the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley. Following infrastructure modifications for renewable fuels refining, our Bakersfield Renewable Fuels Refinery will have the capacity to produce 210 million gallons of renewable diesel per year.

Beyond Bakersfield, our growing upstream operations in Europe and South America position us to secure partnerships with biorefineries across the globe, enabling Global Clean Energy to provide ultra-low carbon fuels produced using our proprietary camelina feedstock worldwide.

500+-acre

Bakersfield Renewable Fuels Refinery site

~210 million

Gallons of renewable diesel production per year

Our products have unmatched environmental credentials

The true carbon intensity of any fuel must account for the total life cycle of the product, including agriculture, refining, distribution, storage, delivery, and final use. It also includes indirect environmental effects of fuel or feedstock production, such as displacing food crops.

Thanks to our superior feedstock and unique operational efficiencies, our camelina-based renewable diesel has a very low carbon intensity compared to other renewable fuels, including renewable diesel from other producers. For comparison, our camelina-based renewable diesel can be produced with a carbon intensity rating of ~7 (with a meal credit), compared to a carbon intensity rating of more than 60 for renewable diesel from soy.

Processing the only camelina feedstock with California LCFS approval

Camelina will ultimately be the primary feedstock used at our Bakersfield Renewable Fuels Refinery. We hold a first-of-its-kind, feedstock-only pathway from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to produce Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) fuels from our proprietary camelina varieties. No other camelina-based feedstock has been approved by CARB under LCFS. Finished fuels from our proprietary camelina varieties will help to reduce transportation-related carbon emissions.

Chemically identical to petroleum-based fuel, but cleaner

Renewable diesel is chemically identical to petroleum-based diesel but with fewer contaminants. It can function as a drop-in replacement for petroleum-based diesel while typically producing 80 percent less CO2 in its life cycle. Our proprietary camelina-based renewable diesel will produce over 90 percent less CO2 in its life cycle.

Since renewable diesel is chemically identical to petroleum-based diesel, it can run in modern engines without blending. Unlike biodiesel, renewable diesel does not experience issues with cold-weather performance, water absorption, or microbial growth.

FDA-Approved meal byproduct

Camelina meal, a high-protein byproduct of camelina oil extraction, has obtained FDA approval as a livestock feed. This approval puts us at a significant competitive advantage over all other oil seed crops and co-products. Sales of camelina meal will further advantage camelina oil, lowering its cost and increasing the value of our finished fuels.

Downstream Business

Bakersfield Renewable Fuels

Bakersfield Renewable Fuels’ (BKRF) cornerstone asset consists of our Bakersfield Renewable Fuels Refinery, purchased in 2020. Formerly owned and operated by a major multinational oil major, the retooled refinery will generate our ultra-low carbon renewable diesel and other sustainable byproducts.

A well-positioned renewable fuels refinery in the heart of diesel demand

Our Bakersfield renewable fuels refinery is located in the San Joaquin Valley, the most productive agricultural, oil, and gas producing region in California. Its location provides ideal access to all West Coast markets. Our renewable fuels refinery features a rail connection to the BNSF Railway mainline and close access to the interstate highway system.

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Quality assurance from seed to finished fuel

Our downstream operations include agricultural processing, fuel refining, and the marketing, sale, and distribution of our refined products and byproducts.

Plant Breeding & Seed Production

Agronomy & Farming Technology

Grain Handling & Logistics

Oil Extraction & Refining

Livestock Protein Meal

Renewable Fuels

Upstream

Midstream

Downstream

Upstream: from lab to farm

As fuel emissions guidelines grow more restrictive, our proprietary feedstock is purpose-bred and grown to meet even the most exacting standards. We are the industry leader in breeding and growing feedstock for ultra-low carbon intensity fuel. Ours is the only nonfood feedstock to meet both federal and California low carbon emission standards.

Explore our upstream operations

Midstream: from farm to refinery

For efficient, ultra-low carbon logistics, we use big data analytics across all aspects of our entire process to gain meaningful insights that provide opportunities to improve efficiencies and facilitate our goal of driving to “Net Zero” carbon emissions across all areas of the business.

Explore our midstream operations