AM-09-57 U.S. REFINING: CHANGING CONFIGURATION FOR NEW DEMAND REALITIES

Description:

Over the past three years, the perception of United States (US) refining has come full circle — from a shortage of capacity following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, through the uncertainty of new US biofuels legislation, to the current economic downturn and contracting demand for transport fuel. Our view is that US gasoline demand peaked in 2007, and the industry is facing a period of weakening demand and increasing displacement of conventional gasoline by ethanol. Global distillate demand is starting to encourage US refiners to rethink their product mix to remain competitive in a trans-Atlantic market that is moving toward a truly integrated two-way products trade.