Many U.S. gas companies are actually fully or partially owned by companies overseas, making foreign oil importation common. The Energy Information Administration provides statistics that show which companies have purchased supplies from the Persian Gulf from January though June 2010.
Oil Refineries
Individual gas stations don't import oil. Rather, gas companies and refineries obtain the oil from companies both domestic and overseas--or through a combination of both. They then refine it, which means turning it into a usable fuel, which is then sold to gas stations. While in the refinery, oils can be combined, which makes it nearly impossible to determine what type of oil individual gas stations received.
Gas Recipients
Together with mixing of oil during the refining process, gas stations receive their fuel from various sources. For example, not every Shell gas station will receive gas solely from the Shell refinery. Gas stations receive fuel from sources that can vary based on the cost and location.
Top Purchases
Gas companies that have purchased 200,000 barrels or more in a six-month span during 2010 as listed in a report issued by the Energy Information Administration include ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips. Companies that purchased 100,000 barrels or more are Valero, Chevron and BP.
Average Purchases
Well-known gas companies such as Sunoco Incorporated, Citgo Petroleum, Marathon, Shell US Trading Company and the Midwest Refining Company all have purchased from 10,000 barrels up to 100,000 barrels of foreign oil.
Lower Purchases
Gas companies that have purchased below 10,000 barrels of oil include Murphy Oil, USA Incorporated, Frontier Oil and Refining, Sinclair Oil Corporation, Paramount Petroleum and Westport Petroleum.
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