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Oil refiners have added capacity. That should reduce the risk of sticker shock at the gas pump.

Jun 29, 2023
Last year's price spike was largely the result of a shortage of refining capacity.
Capacity at oil refineries seems to be going up.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. oil refiners' margins smash records, but few plan to build more plants

May 23, 2022
"Crack spreads" are higher than ever. But investors aren't interested in dumping money into fossil fuel expansion.
A "COVID hangover" is keeping the price of gas high, one expert says.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

If oil prices are off their peaks, why are gas prices still rising?

"Gasoline prices and diesel prices are going to be very high through the summer, potentially higher than they are today," says Bloomberg's Javier Blas.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Why do we import Russian (and other foreign) oil when we have a lot of it in the U.S.?

Mar 7, 2022
The way U.S. oil refineries are set up has a lot to do with it.
A pump jack operates in New Mexico. Though the U.S. has oil-producing regions, it would take a hefty investment to retrofit refineries to process light sweet crude.
Paul Ratje/AFP via Getty Images

Labor Day gas prices are the highest in years

Sep 6, 2021
Demand shot up this summer as people hoped to get out. Then Hurricane Ida stopped some production.
In 2012, gas prices in Los Angeles were over $5 a gallon.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Houston’s refineries and plants are vulnerable to hurricanes. Will a $32 billion plan save them from flooding?

Nov 27, 2018
When hurricanes hit Texas, the whole country feels it. Now, there’s a plan to lessen the blow.
A view of the Houston Ship Channel.
Travis Bubenik for Marketplace

Low crude prices are finally squeezing refineries’ margins

Nov 17, 2016
A combining of two smaller refinery operators show consolidation is under way.
JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD/AFP/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Why gas prices are likely to keep falling

Sep 4, 2015
Even if crude oil prices rise, the end of summer reduces demand for gas.

Oil is cheap, but gas is still expensive in California

Jul 22, 2015
Shortages of the state's special blend causes prices to spike, but this feels different.

Gas prices inch up as refinery strike continues

Feb 24, 2015
With the largest U.S. refinery strike in decades, how are prices being affected?