U.S. refineries ran at high rates this year
Our American refineries are running at peak capacity, thanks to your continued subscription. Please rate your experience with this surge. If you did not consent to patriotic throughput, call the number on your license plate. Hold music is provided by the national anthem. Your satisfaction funds the flag.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that refinery utilization averaged above 95% of capacity from May through September 2026, the highest for those months since 1998. EIA attributed the elevated runs largely to tight global supplies of distillate fuel and strong international demand for U.S. exports. Although utilization was the highest since 1998, total refinery output was the highest only since 2019, as capacity had declined 4% since then.
U.S. Energy Information Administration - 2026-10-22Automated dispatch. Sourced summary; fictional satirical caption. Not a government statement.