April 11 (Reuters) -

Cenovus Energy ( CVE ) has announced a $1.5 billion

investment in its Ohio refineries, including Lima and Oregon,

according to a local media report on Wednesday.

Ohio provides a "vital strategic location" that aids

Cenovus's decision to expand, said Doreen Cole, the company's

executive vice president, downstream, in a press release, quoted

by the local media.

Cenovus produces oil and natural gas with locations in

Canada, the United States and the Asia Pacific region and is the

largest refiner in the state of Ohio where it employs almost

1,200.

Cenovus' Toledo refinery in Oregon, Ohio has a

processing capacity of up to 160,000 barrels per day (bpd),

according to the company's website. The Lima refinery has a

refining capacity of 183,000 bpd, per the U.S. Energy

Information Administration.