Exxon Mobil to reconfigure key Baytown complex in US

Aug 26 (Reuters) - Top U.S. energy producer Exxon Mobil XOM.N said on Tuesday it has made a final investment decision to reconfigure its Baytown, Texas, complex to increase production of diesel and base stocks.

Baytown, one of the company's largest integrated refining and petrochemical complexes, has been central to its U.S. operations for decades.

Exxon did not disclose the size of the investment, but said it would allow the company to expand its product offerings to include Group III base stocks, the key building blocks for premium lubricants.

The company said it would produce about 8,000 barrels per day of Group III from the Baytown complex following the completion of the restructuring.

It is expected to start up in 2028, the company said, adding it will also evaluate similar reconfigurations at other U.S. Gulf Coast sites.

The Baytown move would make Exxon the only supplier to offer the full range of Group I to V base stocks.

Base stocks refer to highly refined mineral oils, which undergo processes to achieve greater molecular uniformity and stability.