"Matt Barrow" wrote in message
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"Mike Rapoport" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Matt Barrow" wrote in message
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Maybe because the US imports refined FINISHED products (much more costly
to buy as well as transport).

Not really true. The US only imports about 14% of its gasoline and US
gasoline production is up *not* down as your article implies.

The article doesn't make a distinction about type of fuel, only refinery
capacity. Also, the gasoline to other fuels mix has increased, correct? I
suspect the US produces much less heating oil than in the past, most
heating being done with natural gas or electric.

Total distillates (diesel, heating oil, kerosene) refined in the US have
increased 80% over the past 23yrs.


As well, what amount of finished product did we import in the past? AIUI,
it was zero until the past few years.
--
Gasoline imports have increased over time, but still remain at low levels.

When you take all the facts together, it seems that refining capacity over
the past 25yrs has been driven by economics not regulation. The "lack of
refining capacity" hysteria is simply the latest thing for pundits to talk
about. The conservatives want to blame the enviornmentalists and the
liberals want to blame the greedy oil companies. Hopefully the rules will
remain unchanged and economics will continue to drive decision making.
Refiners are flush with cash and don't need taxpayer handouts either
directly or indirectly through relaxed regulation. Putting things in
perspective: we had two "fifty year" storms in two weeks than directly hit
major refining areas, having a huge reaction seems unwarranted. One factor
that gets ignored is that, if you build new refineries, each one adds huge
amounts of capacity. It would only take a few new refineries to create a
refining glut.

Mike
MU-2


Matt

---------------------
Matthew W. Barrow
Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
Montrose, CO