**GAO-09-87**                      Published: Oct 07, 2008. Publicly Released: Nov 06, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

In recent years, global demand for petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel fuel has grown more quickly than the capacity to produce them, creating a tight market. U.S. refiners have been running near capacity, particularly during peak summer demand. In such conditions, unexpected refinery outages can result in price increases that adversely affect consumers. GAO was asked to evaluate (1) the trends in U.S. refinery outages over the last 5 years, in terms of reduced production capacity, frequency, and geographic location, and (2) the federal requirements for reporting outages at U.S. refineries. To evaluate these objectives, GAO obtained and analyzed Energy Information Administration (EIA) and commercial data, and obtained and analyzed federal legislation and policies, and interviewed federal agency, academic, and industry trade group officials.

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## Topics

Energy

Crude oilData collectionData integrityEnergyEnergy consumptionEnergy costsEnergy developmentEnergy facilitiesEnergy industryEnergy marketingEnergy planningEnergy shortagesEnergy suppliesFuel gas industryFuel pricesFuel rationingGasolineHurricanesPetroleum pricesPetroleum productsPetroleum refining facilitiesPrices and pricingProgram evaluationReporting requirements