Press Release: Duncan Area Economic Development Enters Management Agreement with Stephens County for Refinery Property Redevelopment

February 27, 2026

Duncan, Oklahoma – The Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation (DAEDF) has entered into a management agreement with Stephens County to provide economic development services for the Stephens County Refinery Property (SCRP), positioning the site for new investment, industry, and job creation.

The agreement, approved by the Stephens County Commissioners, does not involve any exchange of funds. Instead, it authorizes DAEDF to manage, market, and promote the property for economic development purposes, with the shared goal of bringing new businesses and quality jobs to Stephens County.

The former Sunray Corporation/Sun Oil Company/Tosco Corporation refinery, located in Stephens County, Oklahoma, was once a significant economic engine for the region. From the 1920s until 1947, the site operated as an aviation fuel producer. From 1947 through 1983, it functioned as a general oil refinery and hydrocarbon storage facility, employing as many as 400 people at its peak. Refinery operations ceased in 1983 when Tosco Corporation closed the facility.

Following the refinery’s closure in 1983, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality conducted environmental investigations and regulatory oversight. Through subsequent legal proceedings, ConocoPhillips Corporation was identified as the responsible party for the site's remediation.

In partnership with Stephens County and state regulators, a remediation agreement was established to ensure the property could ultimately return to productive industrial use. Stephens County took ownership of the site in 2004, and ConocoPhillips has since completed the required environmental remediation.

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has now certified the property for brownfield redevelopment, subject to recorded covenants and use limitations, clearing the way for renewed industrial development efforts.

As the successor organization to the Duncan Industrial Foundation, DAEDF has led economic development efforts in Stephens County since 1954. Under this new agreement, DAEDF will:

• Manage and promote development of the property
• Recruit, market, and attract new businesses
• Provide economic development planning, support services, and stakeholder engagement
• Serve as the primary point of contact for interested businesses, investors, and community partners

“This agreement represents an important milestone for Stephens County,” said Lyle Roggow, President and CEO of the Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation. “For decades, this property was a major employer and economic driver for our community. With remediation complete and the site certified for brownfield redevelopment, we now have a tremendous opportunity to reposition this property for new industrial investment. DAEDF is ready to actively market and manage the site to attract quality employers and create jobs that will benefit Stephens County families for generations to come.”

Stephens County officials believe the partnership will maximize the property's redevelopment potential and ensure a coordinated, strategic approach to attracting new industry.

The Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation looks forward to working closely with county leaders, state partners, and private industry to transform the Stephens County Refinery Property into a renewed source of economic growth for the region.

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