EXHIBIT 99(a)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: BRIAN BOURQUE, INVESTOR RELATIONS
         713.475.7415
         SARA CRONIN, MEDIA RELATIONS
         713.475.7778


            TEXAS PETROCHEMICALS LP COMPLETES REFINANCING AGREEMENTS

HOUSTON (TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2002) - Texas Petrochemicals LP (TPC) today
announced the completion of the replacement of its bank credit facility with a
new, larger financing package.

         TPC has replaced its $40 million revolving credit facility with a new
facility of up to $60 million in an arrangement made with a syndicate led by
Bank of America. In addition, the company's $34 million term loan has been
replaced by a new $55 million term loan with a syndicate led by Credit Suisse
First Boston (CSFB).

         This larger financial package will provide greater flexibility for the
company to continue the growth in business it has experienced since its
inception in 1996. The company intends to use up to $13 million of the proceeds
to repurchase its existing Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006.

         "This financing will strengthen the company's financial position by
improving its liquidity and will provide a better financial foundation for
future growth," said Carl Stutts, executive vice president and CFO of TPC. "We
feel these new financing arrangements improve our credit profile by providing
significantly more liquidity to operate the business. The company believes that
the additional liquidity should mitigate the financial risk factors identified
in our June 30, 2002 10-K."

         The revolving credit facility and the term loan are new three-year
loans and replace the original bank facility put in place with the buyout of TPC
in 1996.

          "We have intentionally increased the size of our bank credit facility
to enhance our ability to continue to grow," said Bill Waycaster, president and
CEO of TPC. "With this new financing, we feel we are positioned to build upon
some of the strategic business decisions we have made in the past three years,
including the expansion of our butadiene capacity and our entry into the
polyisobutylene business. The new financing arrangements should allow us to
continue to make investments to grow key TPC businesses."

         TPC is a producer of quality C4 chemical products widely used as
chemical building blocks for synthetic rubber, nylon carpets, adhesives,
catalysts and additives used in high-performance polymers. TPC also manufactures
fuel products used in the formulation of cleaner burning gasoline. The company
has manufacturing facilities in the industrial corridor adjacent to the Houston
Ship Channel and operates product terminals in Baytown, Texas and Lake Charles,
Louisiana. TPC is a Responsible Care(R) company dedicated to supporting the
continuing effort to improve the industry's responsible management of chemicals.
For more information about TPC products and services visit the company online at
www.txpetrochem.com.

Disclosure Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements. Although TPC believes
that its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no
assurance that its expectations will materialize. Important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking
statements included herein are enumerated in TPC's Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. TPC disclaims any intention or
obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.