Gasoline demand fell for the first six months of 2010, API reported today. According to the Monthly Statistical Report, U.S. gasoline deliveries (a key indicator of demand) averaged 8.88 million barrels per day, 0.6 percent lower than in the same period in 2009.

Gasoline deliveries in June, which is considered a peak month for vacations and the annual travel season, were at the lowest level for any June since 2004.

As API's Chief Economist John Felmy explained:

"The listless economic recovery continues to take a bite out of gasoline demand...This certainly supports API's position that increased taxes or other anti-jobs policies by Congress or the administration could increase unemployment and harm our economic recovery."

Other data from the June statistical report indicated that:

• Demand... more »

API reported today that April gasoline production climbed to 9.1 million barrels per day, which is the highest level ever for April and second highest level for any month on record, according to the Monthly Statistical Report.

Gasoline demand also rose last month, and U.S. refinery utilization climbed above 85 percent for the first time this year. API Chief Economist John Felmy said the data indicates that refiners are cognizant of consumers' need for gasoline and are producing fuel to keep America moving.

In one particularly bright spot, the April statistics showed that U.S. distillate demand surged 6.7 percent over the April 2009 level. The demand for distillates, including diesel fuel, historically has had a strong correlation with economic activity.

In April, demand for Ultra-Low Sulfu... more »

U.S. refineries produced more gasoline in March --9.3 million barrels a day--than in any month since API began keeping records. Furthermore, March gasoline deliveries (a key measure of gasoline demand) were higher than in any previous March.

As reported in API's Monthly Statistical Report released this morning, total deliveries of petroleum products--gasoline, distillate (heating oil and diesel fuel), kerosine-jet fuel and residual fuel oil--rose 3.5 percent from the same month a year ago.

API Chief Economist John Felmy says the statistics indicate that supplies are ample:

"U.S. refineries are doing yeoman's work meeting consumer demand. Moreover, the record gasoline production in March makes it abundantly clear that supply is not an issue with the higher gasoline prices we've seen. Sharp... more »

U.S. gasoline production and gasoline demand set new records for a February, according to API's Monthly Statistical Report issued this morning.

February gasoline production increased 0.4 percent to a record February high of 8.8 billion barrels per day. Meanwhile, gasoline demand grew by 2.2 percent over the same month a year ago.

Gasoline (and components) imports fell in February by 25.9 percent from the same period last year to 813,000 barrels per day.

"These numbers clearly show that the refining industry is making the gasoline consumers are demanding--and making it at record levels," API Chief Economist John Felmy said.

U.S. crude oil production also increased in February to the highest level since June 2005. Baker Hughes reported the U.S. rig count climbed by 6.6 percent over January a... more »