U.S. Refineries Running at Record Levels (7/23/2014)

Refinery inputs hit a record-high 16.8 million barrels per day (bbl/d) for the week ending July 11, eclipsing the previous record from summer 2005 and more than 280,000 bbl/d higher than a year ago. Inputs remained at 16.8 million bbl/d for the week ending July 18 as well (Figure 1). Inputs at refineries in Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADDs) 2 and 3 (Midwest and Gulf Coast, respectively) were particularly strong, reflecting Midcontinent refiners' recent refinery capacity expansions, growing domestic demand, and increasing exports. ...