661-845-0761 
We are Kern Energy
A "Small But Mighty" Powerhouse of Energy Innovation
Kern Energy is an independent, family-owned and operated refinery producing what we call “California Clean” transportation fuels. Tucked into a rural corner of Kern County, Kern Energy has been operating continuously in the Valley since 1934.
Powered by a talented team of 185, Kern Energy is the only refiner between the Bay Area and Los Angeles producing clean gasoline and renewable diesel, and a critical supplier of California’s southern Central Valley. We work hard to help get kids to school, people to work, and goods to market.
Our team strives to anticipate and embrace the future of California Clean transportation fuels. Kern Energy was just the second refinery in the U.S. to produce renewable diesel by co-processing bio-feed, and the first small refiner in California to blend biodiesel. Kern Energy is proud to do our part in partnering with our communities, advancing California’s climate goals, and reducing the state’s carbon footprint.
We’ve done a lot, and we’re just getting started.
Our History
-
1934
A 1,400 barrels per day crude unit is constructed and put into operation by El Tejon Oil & Refining Co.
-
1945
The refinery name is changed to Douglas Oil Company of California.
-
1966
Edgington Oil & Refining Co. and Signal Oil & Gas purchase the refinery and change the name to Kern County Refinery, Inc.
-
1976
A privately held company purchases the refinery assets and continues to operate as Kern County Refinery, Inc.
-
1993
A new diesel hydroprocessing unit and sulfur plant are placed into operation to meet Federal and California low sulfur diesel fuel specifications.
-
2002
A new cogeneration unit is installed, improving electrical reliability.
-
2006
New units are installed, including sulfur recovery and hydrogen production, and existing hydroprocessing units are upgraded to meet California’s more stringent Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel specifications.
-
2012
Blending up to 5% biodiesel into finished diesel fuel begins.
-
2022
Kern Oil & Refining Co. becomes Kern Energy.
-
Kreiger Oil Company of Paramount, California purchases the refinery and operates under the name Palos Verdes Estates.
1943
-
Continental Oil purchases the refinery from Douglas Oil Company.
1962
-
Charter Oil Company of Jacksonville, Florida, purchases the refinery and operates it through a subsidiary named Kern County Refinery, Inc.
1971
-
The refinery is renamed Kern Oil & Refining Co.
1982
-
Existing refinery units are modified and new reformulated gasoline equipment placed into operation to meet more stringent California gasoline specifications.
1996
-
Ethanol blending into all finished gasoline begins.
2003
-
Co-processing biomass for production of renewable diesel fuel begins.
2009
-
Biodiesel blending is expanded to include a B20 biodiesel blend for meeting demand from agricultural and trucking customers.
2017
Please Scroll .
& Environment
