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California law, refinery exit show ongoing fuel market obstacles, EIA says

Fuelmakers in California might face more headwinds next year as new legislation takes result and refining margins stay weak, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Monday.

WHY IT IS NECESSARY California, the most populous U.S. state, regularly deals with some of the nation's highest typical gasoline costs, resulting in a frequently tense relationship in between the state and oil business.

The state is geographically isolated from the Gulf Coast and Midwest refining centers, and should produce all its own motor fuels or import them from Asia. Nevertheless, imported fuels are most likely to become a more vital source of supply for California as refineries in the state battle with success, the EIA stated in an analysis on Monday.

CONTEXT. In October, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into effect. ABX2-1, an expense developed to avoid fuel supply scarcities in the. state. The expense requires refiners to preserve minimum fuel. stock levels and manage essential refinery turn-arounds and. maintenance in assessment with labor and industry. stakeholders, giving state regulators more control. Quickly after, Phillips 66 revealed strategies to shut its big Los. Angeles-area oil refinery during the fourth quarter of 2025,. citing market characteristics for the decision. Previously this year, the refiner finished converting its Rodeo. refinery near San Francisco into an eco-friendly diesel production. facility that no longer procedures crude oil.

BY THE NUMBERS

Weaker gasoline and diesel cracks continue to weigh on. refiners. The U.S. gasoline crack spread << RBc1-CLc1 > was up to. $ 11.73 a barrel in September, the most affordable because November 2023. The diesel crack spread << HOc1-CLc1 > traded at $17.98 a barrel in. September, its most affordable since July 2021.

(source: Reuters)