Gas prices going up! midwest only tho

[Millhouse]

(08-14-2015, 09:48 AM)michaelsean Wrote: I never understand the supply of gasoline.  If a major refinery goes down, and supply is limited so the price goes up, how come I never see gas stations without gas?  Are they bringing it in from further away and that's what causes the spike in price?

It basically goes like this:

Barrell of oil -> refineries -> loading racks/terminals -> gas stations & the local oil companies  -> consumers

When a refinery goes down it effects the supply at the terminals/racks and they are the ones that raise the prices which trickles down to the consumer. If enough refineries go down, then there could be shortages at the pump. Also when a major pipeline goes down or has issues, that can cause spikes as well.

That said gas stations also will gauge the public at various times for no real apparent reason other than trying to make more money "just in case" something happens in the near future (ie speculating). I know they jumped around here about .30 a few weeks back, and there were no shortages or issues other than hearing some pipeline up in bfe midwest was having work done on it. In other words no one knew why outside of the gas stations themselves lol.