by Hawkcreek » Tue 18 Apr 2017, 14:22:40
Crude oil enters the refinery.
Gasoline exits the refinery and is paid for by other parts of the economy.
All other components of the crude (ethylene, polypropylene, asphalt, etc) exit the refinery and are paid for by other parts of the economy. The total of these payments, by the economy,equals the cost of the crude, plus a profit to the refinery.
The economy is measured in money, currency, or whatever you call it.
If you say that the economy runs only on the part of the crude that takes soccer mom to Walmart, you are ignoring the majority of the economy.
I don't believe that refineries are operating at a loss.
"It don't make no sense that common sense don't make no sense no more"
John Prine