Every day, the vast industrial network along the Gulf Coast pumps, processes, and powers a staggering portion of America's energy and manufacturing might, from the millions of barrels of oil flowing from offshore rigs to the billions in exports sailing from its ports.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the U.S. Gulf of Mexico federal offshore oil production reached 1.68 million barrels per day, accounting for 14% of total U.S. crude oil production
- Gulf Coast refineries processed 9.7 million barrels per day of crude oil in 2023, representing 51% of U.S. total refinery capacity
- Natural gas production in the Gulf Coast region (PADD 3) averaged 12.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2022
- Gulf Coast (PADD 3) refinery inputs averaged 9.4 million bpd in 2023
- Texas Gulf Coast hosts 32% of U.S. refining capacity at 4.8 million bpd in 2023
- Louisiana refineries produced 185 million barrels of gasoline in 2022
- Port of Houston handled 281 million tons of cargo in FY2022, world's top petrochemical export port
- Port of South Louisiana moved 248 million short tons in 2022, largest U.S. tonnage port
- Gulf Coast ports exported $170 billion in petroleum products in 2022
- Gulf Coast oil & gas sector employed 450,000 direct jobs in 2022
- Texas petrochemical industry supports 543,000 jobs statewide in 2023
- Louisiana refining workforce totals 25,000 in 300+ facilities
- Gulf Coast industries contribute $1.8 trillion to U.S. GDP annually as of 2022
- Oil & gas in TX Gulf Coast adds $300 billion to state GDP yearly
- Louisiana petrochemical exports generated $50 billion in 2022
The Gulf Coast dominates U.S. oil, gas, and petrochemical production and exports.
Economic Contribution
- Gulf Coast industries contribute $1.8 trillion to U.S. GDP annually as of 2022
- Oil & gas in TX Gulf Coast adds $300 billion to state GDP yearly
- Louisiana petrochemical exports generated $50 billion in 2022
- Port-related activity in Gulf Coast generates $639 billion economic output
- Gulf LNG exports worth $85 billion in 2023 trade value
- Refining sector taxes paid $15 billion annually in Gulf states
- Gulf Coast manufacturing output $450 billion in 2022
- Hurricane mitigation investments yield $13 ROI per $1 in Gulf ports
- Gulf of Mexico oil production royalties $6.5 billion to U.S. Treasury in FY2022
- Gulf Coast GDP share 15% U.S. total from industry $3.5T cumulative
- TX energy exports $250B supporting 2M jobs indirect
- LA Gulf industry royalties $4B state revenue 2022
- Gulf ports multiplier effect 5.5 jobs per direct port job
- Petrochemical investments $200B announced 2020-2025 Gulf
- Gulf oil spill cleanup economy boosted $60B post-Deepwater Horizon
- FL Gulf Coast fisheries contribute $5B economy
- Gulf Coast property taxes from industry $10B yearly
- LNG boom adds $15B TX GDP annually by 2024
- Gulf Coast tourism from ports $20B economic impact
- TX Gulf Coast business sales $1.2T from energy 2022
- LA offshore royalties $1.2B federal share 2023
- Gulf Coast supply chain value $800B multiplier 2022
Economic Contribution Interpretation
While the Gulf Coast's industrial engine reliably pumps trillions into the national economy, funds governments, and anchors global supply chains, its true might is measured not just in dollars and cents, but in its stubborn resilience, proven by the fact that for every dollar spent hardening its ports against hurricanes, it returns thirteen, and it even managed to find a sixty-billion-dollar silver lining in the grim cloud of a historic oil spill.
Employment and Labor
- Gulf Coast oil & gas sector employed 450,000 direct jobs in 2022
- Texas petrochemical industry supports 543,000 jobs statewide in 2023
- Louisiana refining workforce totals 25,000 in 300+ facilities
- Port of Houston employs 112,000 direct and indirect jobs
- Gulf Coast LNG projects to add 10,000 construction jobs by 2025
- Average Gulf Coast oil rig worker salary is $85,000 annually in 2023
- 28% of U.S. manufacturing jobs in chemicals are Gulf Coast based, 220,000 total
- Gulf Coast maritime industry employs 1 million across 5 states
- Offshore oil workers in GoM number 100,000
- Petrochemical plant operators earn median $72,000 in LA/TX Gulf
- Gulf Coast chemical sector 2.8 million jobs nationwide, 40% Gulf-based 2023
- Offshore GoM employment peaks at 120,000 during drilling booms
- TX Gulf Coast welders in industry average $55k salary 2023 BLS
- LA shipbuilding employs 7,000 in Gulf yards
- Gulf Coast pipeline workers 50,000 strong, median wage $68k
- Women in Gulf oilfield jobs 20% of workforce 2023
- Gulf ports union labor 150,000 ILA members
- Refinery maintenance shutdowns employ 20,000 temps per event
- Gulf Coast STEM jobs in energy 100,000 openings projected 2025
- Gulf Coast refinery construction jobs average 5,000 per project
- TX Gulf Coast engineers in petrochem 50,000 employed $110k avg
- MS Gulf Coast ship repair yards employ 3,500
- Gulf Coast safety training certifications 200,000 workers annually
- AL Mobile port logistics jobs 25,000 direct
- Gulf Coast apprenticeships in welding 10,000 enrolled 2023
- Offshore roustabouts entry wage $45k Gulf Coast
- Gulf Coast unions negotiate 5% wage hikes 2023 contracts
Employment and Labor Interpretation
This data is the economic equivalent of a heavyweight champion, where the Gulf Coast’s oil, gas, and maritime industries throw a combined payroll punch of several million jobs, proving that while the energy transition may be the talk of the town, this region is still very much the engine room of American industry.
Energy Production
- In 2022, the U.S. Gulf of Mexico federal offshore oil production reached 1.68 million barrels per day, accounting for 14% of total U.S. crude oil production
- Gulf Coast refineries processed 9.7 million barrels per day of crude oil in 2023, representing 51% of U.S. total refinery capacity
- Natural gas production in the Gulf Coast region (PADD 3) averaged 12.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2022
- Louisiana's Gulf Coast produced 1.2 million barrels of oil per day from state offshore in 2021
- Texas Gulf Coast offshore oil rigs numbered 185 active in Q4 2023
- Gulf of Mexico deepwater oil production hit 1.1 million bpd in 2023, 65% of total GoM output
- Federal Gulf offshore natural gas output was 1.8 tcf in 2022
- Gulf Coast shale gas from Eagle Ford play yielded 6.2 bcfd in 2023
- Haynesville Shale in Gulf Coast produced 14.5 bcfd of gas in 2022
- Gulf Coast LNG export capacity reached 13.5 bcf/d by end-2023 with 5 operational terminals
- In 2023, Gulf Coast PADD 3 crude stocks averaged 250 million barrels
- Gulf Coast ethane production hit 2.1 million bpd in 2022
- Active Gulf offshore leases number 3,800 in federal waters 2023
- Gulf Coast wind energy potential estimated at 100 GW offshore
- Permian Basin pipelines deliver 6.5 million bpd to Gulf Coast
- Gulf Coast hydrogen production capacity 2.5 million tons/year from refineries
- GoM oil discoveries added 2 billion barrels recoverable since 2017
- Gulf Coast CCS projects capture 20 million tons CO2/year by 2025 target
- In Q1 2023, Gulf Coast refinery utilization was 88%, producing 4.2 million bpd gasoline
- Gulf of Mexico rig count 25 active in Jan 2024
- Gulf Coast NGL production 3.8 million bpd 2023 average
- BOEM approved 45 new Gulf leases in 2023 sale
- Gulf Coast solar capacity installed 5 GW by 2023
- Matterhorn field GoM restarts 30,000 bpd 2023
- Gulf Coast battery storage 2 GW operational 2023
- Thunder Horse platform GoM peaks 250,000 boe/d
- Gulf Coast biofuels production 150,000 bpd ethanol equivalent
Energy Production Interpretation
While still the undisputed engine of America's energy system, as evidenced by its command of over half the nation's refining, a dominant share of its oil and gas output, and massive new investments in LNG and cleaner fuels, the Gulf Coast is quietly but actively using its industrial might to pivot towards a more diversified and sustainable future.
Maritime and Ports
- Port of Houston handled 281 million tons of cargo in FY2022, world's top petrochemical export port
- Port of South Louisiana moved 248 million short tons in 2022, largest U.S. tonnage port
- Gulf Coast ports exported $170 billion in petroleum products in 2022
- Corpus Christi Port LNG exports totaled 1.8 bcf/d in 2023
- Gulf Intracoastal Waterway carries 400 million tons annually
- New Orleans Port container throughput was 510,000 TEUs in 2022
- Gulf Coast ship channel dredging maintains 45-foot depth for supertankers
- Plaquemines LNG terminal exports began at 1 bcf/d capacity in Dec 2023
- Gulf Coast bulk cargo handled 1.2 billion tons over 5 years to 2022
- Freeport, TX port petrochemical exports grew 15% to $12B in 2022
- Port of Texas City handles 80 million barrels petroleum products/year
- Gulf Coast tanker traffic 4,500 calls annually pre-2023
- Lake Charles Port LNG throughput 1.2 bcf/d 2023
- Gulf Coast barge traffic moves 12% U.S. energy commodities
- Mobile AL port cargo up 10% to 60 million tons 2022
- Gulf Coast cruise passengers 15 million pre-COVID 2019
- Sabine Pass LNG terminal exported 30 mtpa in 2022
- Gulf Coast container ports handle 8 million TEUs combined yearly
- Panama City FL port grain exports 5 million tons 2022
- Port of Beaumont cargo 90 million tons 2022 petrochemicals heavy
- Gulf Coast VLCC imports 1.5 million bpd crude 2023
- Golden Pass LNG exports start 18 mtpa 2025 capacity
- Gulf Coast RoRo vehicle exports 1.2 million units 2022
- Tampa Port bulk liquids 25 million tons 2022
- Gulf Coast offshore supply vessels fleet 400+
- Cameron LA LNG terminal 12 mtpa under construction
- Gulf Coast sulfur exports 10 million tons 2022
- Pensacola FL port fuels 500 million gallons/year
Maritime and Ports Interpretation
The Gulf Coast isn't simply America's energy and industrial backbone; it's the meticulously dredged, massively piped, and astonishingly busy circulatory system through which the lifeblood of the modern global economy—measured in billions of tons, trillions of cubic feet, and hundreds of billions of dollars—steadily pulses.
Refining and Petrochemicals
- Gulf Coast (PADD 3) refinery inputs averaged 9.4 million bpd in 2023
- Texas Gulf Coast hosts 32% of U.S. refining capacity at 4.8 million bpd in 2023
- Louisiana refineries produced 185 million barrels of gasoline in 2022
- Gulf Coast ethylene production capacity stands at 22 million tons per year as of 2023
- U.S. Gulf Coast petrochemical plants number over 300, producing $200 billion in products annually
- Port Arthur, TX refinery expansions added 550,000 bpd capacity since 2020
- Gulf Coast methanol production hit 4.5 million tons in 2022
- Beaumont, TX hosts the largest U.S. refinery at 635,000 bpd capacity
- Gulf Coast propylene output reached 7.2 million tons/year in 2023
- Over 50% of U.S. polyethylene production is in Gulf Coast at 18 million tons capacity
- Gulf Coast ammonia production 10 million tons annually for fertilizers
- ExxonMobil Baytown refinery produces 1.5 million tons plastics/year
- Gulf Coast benzene capacity 5.5 million tons/year 2023
- Motiva Port Arthur complex outputs 3 million gallons diesel/day
- Gulf Coast PDH plants add 2.5 million tons propylene capacity 2020-2025
- Dow Freeport site produces 2 million tons ethylene/year
- Gulf Coast MTBE production phased out but capacity was 90,000 bpd pre-2006
- Chevron Pascagoula refinery runs at 85% utilization producing jet fuel
- Gulf Coast exports 70% of U.S. plastics to Asia, $40B value 2022
- Gulf Coast PTA production capacity 3 million tons/year for polyester
- LyondellBasell Channelview plant 2 mtpa ethylene cracker
- Gulf Coast cumene capacity 4 million tons 2023
- Valero Three Rivers refinery 95,000 bpd asphalt producer
- Gulf Coast VCM plants output 3.5 million tons PVC feedstock
- Flint Hills Corpus Christi 300,000 bpd with alkylation unit
- Gulf Coast styrene monomer 6 million tons capacity
- Phillips 66 Sweeny refinery hydrogen plant 100 MMSCFD
- Gulf Coast acetic acid production 2.2 million tons/year
Refining and Petrochemicals Interpretation
If these Gulf Coast statistics were any more robust, they'd need their own zip code—this industrial powerhouse is essentially America's engine room, quietly fueling and furnishing the modern world from gasoline tanks to grocery bags.
Sources & References
- Reference 1EIAeia.govVisit source
- Reference 2SONLITEsonlite.dnr.state.la.usVisit source
- Reference 3BAKERHUGHESbakerhughes.comVisit source
- Reference 4ICISicis.comVisit source
- Reference 5AMERICANCHEMISTRYamericanchemistry.comVisit source
- Reference 6TOTALENERGIEStotalenergies.comVisit source
- Reference 7METHANEXmethanex.comVisit source
- Reference 8SPGLOBALspglobal.comVisit source
- Reference 9PORTHOUSTONporthouston.comVisit source
- Reference 10PORTSLportsl.comVisit source
- Reference 11CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 12PORTOFCCportofcc.comVisit source
- Reference 13NAVIGATIONFUNDINGnavigationfunding.comVisit source
- Reference 14PORTNOLAportnola.comVisit source
- Reference 15HOUSTONSHIPCHANNELhoustonshipchannel.comVisit source
- Reference 16VENTUREGLOBALventureglobal.comVisit source
- Reference 17AAPA-PORTSaapa-ports.orgVisit source
- Reference 18PORTFREEPORTportfreeport.comVisit source
- Reference 19APIapi.orgVisit source
- Reference 20TXOGAtxoga.orgVisit source
- Reference 21GULFCOASTREFININGgulfcoastrefining.comVisit source
- Reference 22LNGINDUSTRYlngindustry.comVisit source
- Reference 23BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 24MARINETRADESmarinetrades.orgVisit source
- Reference 25NOIAnoia.orgVisit source
- Reference 26BEAbea.govVisit source
- Reference 27COMPTROLLERcomptroller.texas.govVisit source
- Reference 28OPPORTUNITYLOUISIANAopportunitylouisiana.comVisit source
- Reference 29TAXFOUNDATIONtaxfoundation.orgVisit source
- Reference 30FEMAfema.govVisit source
- Reference 31REVENUEDATArevenuedata.doi.govVisit source
- Reference 32BOEMboem.govVisit source
- Reference 33ENERGYenergy.govVisit source
- Reference 34PIPELINEANDGASJOURNALpipelineandgasjournal.comVisit source
- Reference 35NETLnetl.doe.govVisit source
- Reference 36CORPORATEcorporate.exxonmobil.comVisit source
- Reference 37CHEMORBISchemorbis.comVisit source
- Reference 38MOTIVAmotiva.comVisit source
- Reference 39HYDROCARBONPROCESSINGhydrocarbonprocessing.comVisit source
- Reference 40DOWdow.comVisit source
- Reference 41CHEVRONchevron.comVisit source
- Reference 42PLASTICSINDUSTRYplasticsindustry.orgVisit source
- Reference 43PORTOFTEXASportoftexas.cityVisit source
- Reference 44PORTOFCORPUSCHRISTIportofcorpuschristi.comVisit source
- Reference 45PORTLCportlc.comVisit source
- Reference 46ARMYarmy.milVisit source
- Reference 47PANYNJpanynj.govVisit source
- Reference 48FLORIDAPORTSfloridaports.comVisit source
- Reference 49CHENIEREcheniere.comVisit source
- Reference 50MSCmsc.comVisit source
- Reference 51PANAMACITYPORTpanamacityport.comVisit source
- Reference 52MMSmms.govVisit source
- Reference 53SHIPBUILDINGLAshipbuildingla.comVisit source
- Reference 54WOMENENERGYALLIANCEwomenenergyalliance.orgVisit source
- Reference 55ILAUNIONilaunion.orgVisit source
- Reference 56TURNAROUNDSturnarounds.comVisit source
- Reference 57ENERGYINSTenergyinst.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 58TEXASECONOMICDEVELOPMENTtexaseconomicdevelopment.comVisit source
- Reference 59LDNRldnr.state.la.usVisit source
- Reference 60NOAAnoaa.govVisit source
- Reference 61FISHERIESfisheries.noaa.govVisit source
- Reference 62RRCrrc.texas.govVisit source
- Reference 63RIGCOUNTrigcount.bakerhughes.comVisit source
- Reference 64SEIAseia.orgVisit source
- Reference 65FORBESforbes.comVisit source
- Reference 66BPbp.comVisit source
- Reference 67TEXTILEWORLDtextileworld.comVisit source
- Reference 68LYONDELLBASELLlyondellbasell.comVisit source
- Reference 69CHEMWEEKchemweek.comVisit source
- Reference 70VALEROvalero.comVisit source
- Reference 71FHPSfhps.comVisit source
- Reference 72PHILLIPS66phillips66.comVisit source
- Reference 73CELANESEcelanese.comVisit source
- Reference 74PORTOFBEAUMONTportofbeaumont.comVisit source
- Reference 75GOLDENPASSLNGgoldenpasslng.comVisit source
- Reference 76PORTMIAMIportmiami.comVisit source
- Reference 77PORTTBporttb.comVisit source
- Reference 78GOMFLOTELgomflotel.comVisit source
- Reference 79SEMPRAsempra.comVisit source
- Reference 80PORTFOURCHONportfourchon.comVisit source
- Reference 81PORTOFPENSACOLAportofpensacola.comVisit source
- Reference 82CONSTRUCTIONDIVEconstructiondive.comVisit source
- Reference 83HUNTINGTONINGALLShuntingtoningalls.comVisit source
- Reference 84PORTCITYMOBILEportcitymobile.comVisit source
- Reference 85DOLdol.govVisit source
- Reference 86SALARYsalary.comVisit source
- Reference 87USWusw.orgVisit source
- Reference 88VISITFLORIDAvisitflorida.comVisit source
- Reference 89TSHAEFtshaef.orgVisit source
- Reference 90ONRRonrr.govVisit source
- Reference 91MCKINSEYmckinsey.comVisit source