HOUSTON- Sept. 30, 2019- Augmented reality brings the refining process to life in the newly launched CITGO Refinery Worx app introduced by CITGO Petroleum Corporation. While designed to teach kids about the refining process and the scores of everyday products derived from it, the app has an even bigger purpose in mind: inspiring students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) related career paths as part of the Company’s STEM Talent Pipeline program.
“The app is just a small piece of our overall commitment to STEM education, which ultimately creates the foundations for the future workforce of the oil and gas industry,” stated CITGO CSR, Community Relations & Legislative Affairs General Manager Larry Elizondo. “Refinery Worx™ not only creates an interactive outlet for students to explore their interest in STEM-related activities, but it also demonstrates the numerous innovative approaches there are to STEM support,” he added.
Working with students and observing how they absorb information was the inspiration for a fresh approach that can be easily shared using a mobile device. Through the app, users can discover how crude oil provides the fundamental ingredients for common household items like toys, cellphones, and makeup. As users navigate through the refinery, they can discover how products as diverse as jet fuel and road asphalt come from the same sources.
“Through this augmented reality tour, our goal is to inspire these students to explore a seemingly complex process in terms and visuals that they can easily understand. We hope it sparks curiosity amongst our users and encourages them to explore more topics related to STEM,” Elizondo explained.
Although CITGO has worked to provide STEM opportunities for students for years, CITGO Refinery Worx™ is the first augmented reality app the company has created for students to step inside the refinery processes. The app can be easily downloaded for free to any mobile device or tablet here.
About CITGO
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Lemont, Ill., and wholly and/or jointly owns 48 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,500 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 749,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the fifth-largest, and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products and supplies a network of approximately 4,900 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.