Key Stats
Founded in 1968 by Dr. Robert Van Osdell West Jr.
Acquired by Marathon Petroleum on October 1, 2018 for $23.3 billion
2017 Revenue: $35 billion
Peak refining capacity: 1.2 million barrels per day
Operated 10 refineries across the Western United States
Tesoro Corporation was an independent American petroleum refining company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The company specialized in petroleum refining, logistics, and marketing operations across the western United States.
Founded in 1968, Tesoro grew through strategic acquisitions to become the third-largest independent petroleum refiner in the country before being acquired by Marathon Petroleum in 2018. The company operated refineries in Alaska, California, Washington, North Dakota, Utah, and other western states.
At its peak, Tesoro managed a retail network of approximately 3,000 branded stations under various brands including Tesoro, Shell, ExxonMobil, ARCO, and USA Gasoline. The company changed its name to Andeavor in 2017 following its acquisition of Western Refining.
Tesoro Corp. History
Tesoro Corp. Co-founders
Tesoro Corp. Marketcap
Tesoro Corporation experienced significant market capitalization growth throughout its history as an independent public company. The company’s value increased substantially through the 2000s and 2010s as it expanded its refining capacity and retail presence.
Tesoro Corp. Acquisitions
Tesoro Corporation built its refining empire through aggressive acquisition strategy beginning in the late 1990s. The company transformed from a small exploration company into one of America’s largest independent refiners through calculated purchases of undervalued refining assets.
The acquisition strategy began in 1998 with the purchase of the Anacortes refinery in Washington state from Shell. This marked Tesoro’s expansion beyond Alaska and established a foothold in the Pacific Northwest market. In 2001, Tesoro acquired two BP Amoco refineries in Mandan, North Dakota and Salt Lake City, Utah, significantly expanding its refining capacity and geographic reach across the western United States.
The 2002 acquisition of the Golden Eagle Refinery in Martinez, California from Ultramar represented a major strategic move into the California market. This $923 million deal included 70 retail sites and positioned Tesoro as a significant player in the lucrative California refining sector. The company continued expanding its California presence in 2007 by purchasing Shell’s Los Angeles refinery and approximately 250 retail stations.
In 2013, Tesoro made its largest acquisition to date by purchasing BP’s Carson refinery and the iconic ARCO brand for $2.5 billion. This transaction doubled Tesoro’s California refining capacity and gave the company rights to approximately 800 ARCO-branded stations across California, Arizona, and Nevada. The deal also included the ampm master franchisee license and secured rights to use Exxon and Mobil brands in several western states.
The most transformative acquisition came in 2017 when Tesoro purchased Western Refining for $6.4 billion. This massive deal added three refineries and doubled the company’s workforce to approximately 13,000 employees. The acquisition prompted the company to rebrand as Andeavor, reflecting its expanded scope and capabilities. This strategic move positioned the company for its eventual sale to Marathon Petroleum Corporation in 2018 for $23.3 billion, creating the largest refining company in the United States.
Tesoro Corp. Revenue
Tesoro Corporation generated substantial revenue growth through strategic acquisitions and operational expansion. The company ranked number 90 in the 2018 Fortune 500 list based on its impressive financial performance.
Tesoro Corp. Competitors
Tesoro competed in the highly competitive independent petroleum refining sector. The company faced competition from both larger integrated oil companies and fellow independent refiners operating in similar geographic markets. Primary competitors included Valero Energy Corporation, which also operated from San Antonio, and other major refiners across the United States.
| Competitor | Headquarters | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Valero Energy | San Antonio, TX | Independent Refining |
| Marathon Petroleum | Findlay, OH | Downstream Operations |
| Phillips 66 | Houston, TX | Refining & Marketing |
| HF Sinclair | Dallas, TX | Independent Refining |
| PBF Energy | Parsippany, NJ | Petroleum Refining |
| Chevron | San Ramon, CA | Integrated Oil & Gas |
| ExxonMobil | Irving, TX | Integrated Oil & Gas |
| BP | London, UK | Integrated Oil & Gas |
| ConocoPhillips | Houston, TX | Exploration & Production |
| Delek US Holdings | Brentwood, TN | Independent Refining |
FAQs
When was Tesoro Corporation founded?
Tesoro Corporation was founded in 1968 by Dr. Robert Van Osdell West Jr. The company began as a petroleum exploration and production firm before transitioning to refining operations.
What happened to Tesoro Corporation?
Tesoro changed its name to Andeavor in 2017 after acquiring Western Refining. Marathon Petroleum then acquired Andeavor for $23.3 billion on October 1, 2018.
How many refineries did Tesoro operate?
Tesoro operated 10 refineries across the Western United States at its peak, with a combined crude oil processing capacity of approximately 1.2 million barrels per day.
Where was Tesoro Corporation headquartered?
Tesoro Corporation was headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The company became the first Fortune 500 company to establish its headquarters in San Antonio.
What does the name Tesoro mean?
Tesoro means treasure or treasury in both Spanish and Italian. Founder Robert West chose the name to reflect the value and potential of the petroleum industry.

