Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery The Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery near Roxana, Illinois has been a major petroleum refining operation in the St. Louis metropolitan area since 1918. Extensive use of asbestos insulation and components throughout the facility exposed generations of workers to dangerous fibers.
Last verified: 2026-03-09Originally built by Roxana Petroleum Company in 1918, the refinery was later acquired by Shell Oil before becoming part of a ConocoPhillips and Cenovus Energy joint venture. The facility grew to process over 300,000 barrels per day, making it one of the largest refineries in the Midwest. Asbestos was integral to the refinery infrastructure from the 1920s through the late 1970s, used in insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing materials across all process units.
The Wood River Refinery used asbestos insulation on its extensive piping systems, distillation columns, heat exchangers, and boilers. Workers performing maintenance and repair work routinely disturbed asbestos materials, particularly during scheduled turnarounds when aging insulation was removed and replaced. The refinery employed both permanent staff and contract workers, all of whom faced asbestos exposure in the industrial environment.
The following job categories at Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:
Workers from the Wood River Refinery have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, and asbestos-related lung cancer, with cases documented among both long-term employees and contract maintenance workers. The combination of asbestos exposure with other industrial chemicals present in the refinery environment compounded health risks. Many diagnoses have occurred decades after the workers initial employment at the facility.
Health information is based on established medical research on asbestos exposure. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consult a physician for medical advice specific to your situation.
Workers exposed to asbestos at Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery may be entitled to compensation through asbestos trust funds, personal injury lawsuits, or veterans benefits. Mesothelioma patients and their families have recovered billions in compensation from companies that manufactured or used asbestos products.
3 asbestos trust funds have been identified as potentially related to exposure at this site. Many mesothelioma patients qualify to file claims with multiple trusts simultaneously.
Find Out If You QualifyWorkers who were employed at Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery between 1940s–1970s may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials. If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may have legal options including trust fund claims and lawsuits.
Workers exposed to asbestos at Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery may be eligible to file claims with the following trust funds:
If you were exposed to asbestos at Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, these specialized treatment centers in Illinois may be able to help.
The refinery was originally built by Roxana Petroleum Company in 1918, later operated by Shell Oil, and is now part of a joint venture involving Phillips 66 and Cenovus Energy. Asbestos exposure claims may involve multiple corporate successors depending on the period of employment.
Workers encountered asbestos in pipe insulation, gaskets, valve packing, and refractory cement throughout the refinery. Exposure was highest during maintenance turnarounds when workers removed and replaced deteriorating asbestos insulation on pipes and process equipment.
You should see a physician experienced in occupational lung disease for a thorough evaluation, including chest imaging. If asbestos-related disease is diagnosed, consult a mesothelioma attorney to understand your legal options for compensation through lawsuits or asbestos trust fund claims.
If you or a loved one worked at Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, our attorneys can help you explore your legal options. There is no cost, no pressure, and no obligation.
Or call us 24/7: 1-800-400-1805
Sources:
