HOUSTON — Baker Hughes, a leading energy technology firm, landed a major contract as the preferred provider for Marathon Petroleum’s refining operations across the United States. The agreement, announced Wednesday, positions Baker Hughes to supply advanced equipment, services and digital solutions to Marathon’s 16 refineries.

Marathon Petroleum, one of the largest refiners in the country, operates facilities from California to Maryland with a combined capacity of 3.1 million barrels per day. Company executives highlighted Baker Hughes’ expertise in turbomachinery, valves and control systems as key to the selection. ‘This partnership enhances our operational reliability and efficiency,’ a Marathon spokesperson said.

The deal builds on prior collaborations between the two companies. Baker Hughes already provides rotating equipment and digital monitoring tools at several Marathon sites, including the Galveston Bay refinery in Texas. Under the new framework, Baker Hughes gains priority access for maintenance, upgrades and new installations nationwide.

Details emerged in a Baker Hughes press release. The company emphasized its portfolio of integrated solutions, including the RM6000e wet gas air cooler and advanced compressor technologies. These tools help refineries cut emissions and boost throughput, according to Baker Hughes officials.

Financial terms were not disclosed. Analysts see the pact as a win for Baker Hughes amid a push for energy transition services. Marathon’s refineries process crude from domestic shale plays and global suppliers, making reliable equipment critical.

Baker Hughes CEO Lorenzo Simonelli called the agreement a milestone. ‘We’re proud to support Marathon’s goals for safe, sustainable refining,’ he said in the statement. The partnership comes as US refiners face pressure from volatile oil prices and stricter environmental rules.

Marathon’s network includes flagship plants like the Garyville refinery in Louisiana, the largest in the US at 582,000 barrels per day. Baker Hughes will deploy its Bently Nevada condition monitoring systems there and elsewhere to predict failures and minimize downtime.

Industry watchers note the deal’s scope. It spans all Marathon Petroleum subsidiaries, including Midwest and Gulf Coast operations. Baker Hughes, headquartered in Houston, employs over 58,000 people worldwide and reported $25.5 billion in 2023 revenue.

The agreement aligns with broader trends. Refiners increasingly turn to single-source providers for simplified procurement and faster service. Baker Hughes has similar preferred status with other majors like Chevron and ExxonMobil.

Marathon Petroleum shares rose 1.2% in New York trading following the news. Baker Hughes stock gained 0.8%. Both companies reaffirmed commitments to net-zero emissions by 2050, with the deal incorporating low-carbon technologies.

Implementation starts immediately. Baker Hughes teams will conduct site assessments at priority locations over the next quarter. Marathon officials expect measurable gains in reliability metrics by year-end.