US refiners may face profit margin squeeze

HOUSTON: US refiners could face a continued squeeze on profit margins in the months ahead as dwindling supplies of heavy crude from Venezuela and elsewhere are leading several to switch to higherpriced but easier-to-refine light, sweet crude.

The shift also could mean higher prices for consumers in the last weeks of the summer driving season and into the fall if refiners are able to pass along those higher costs to drivers, analysts said.

PBF Energy Inc, Valero Energy Corp, Phillips 66 and Marathon Petroleum Corp said in earning calls over the past two weeks they are running more light crude as a result of narrower discounts for heavy crude. ExxonMobil Corp also is running a heavier slate of light crude at a Gulf Coast plant.

Refiners’ “margins have already been heavily impacted”, said John Auers, executive vice president at refining consultancy Turner, Mason & Co. Auers added the final period’s outlook could depend on whether the US applies sanctions on Venezuelan imports.

In part, the companies are reacting to high costs and anticipating weaker supplies of Venezuelan crude coming to the United States.

Heavy crude prices also have been impacted by tax changes in Russia that have raised prices of its heavy crudes and by reduced production from Canada last quarter. – Reuters