INTRODUCTION Motor gasolines represent the highest volume of product produced from a barrel of crude oil. In 1981@ motor gasolines accounted for almost one-half of the total amount of petroleum products supplied@ as shown in Figure 1. In addition@ about one-third of petroleum distillates (also derived from a barrel of crude oil) are used as motor fuels@ and asphalt (from the bottom of the barrel) is used mainly to build roads. Consumption of total and unleaded motor gasoline during the past decade is displayed in Figure 2. Total gasoline consumption declined 12 percent from 1978 to 1982 due largely to improved automobile fuel efficiency (from engine improvements and other changes) that increased the average miles per gallon almost 12 percent from 1977 to 1981.1 The increase in unleaded gasoline sales relative to the total also reflects automobile changes@ such as the requirement for use of unleaded fuel in cars manufactured in the U.s. since the mid-1970's. Petroleum products are@ therefore@ vital to transportation. To accommodate the demand for transportation-related fuels@ motor gasolines move from refineries by pipeline@ tanker and barge to terminals and bulk stations. From bulk plants and terminals@ motor gasolines move to farms@ large commercial customers and retail outlets which are principally gasoline service stations and convenience stores. An overview of the movement of petroleum products from refineries to wholesale distributors@ retail outlets and commercial customers is given in Figure 3. A single refinery may supply products to many terminals. By means of barge@ tanker@ pipeline and truck shipments the terminals can transfer fuels to other terminals and bulk plants. In turn@ truck shipments from bulk plants and terminals to retail outlets and distributors@ as well as to direct purchasers@ complete the movement of gasoline from its point of manufacture. The distribution of motor gasolines is distinctive in its heavy reliance on specialized retail outlets. 1Department of Energy@ Monthly Energy Review@ July 1983@ pp. 15@ 38. Higher fuel prices and income changes reduced average miles traveled per car by about 8 percent during 1977-81.
API PUBL 1593-1983 history
1992API PUBL 1593-1992 Gasoline Marketing in the United States Today (Third Edition)
1986API PUBL 1593-1986 Gasoline Marketing in the United States Today (SECOND EDITION)
1983API PUBL 1593-1983 Gasoline Marketing in the United States Today (First Edition)