[truecougarblue]

At the risk of sounding paranoid, I'd like to know if anyone else is having a hard time getting ahold of less common motor oil weights.

I'm referring in my case to 20W50 at Walmart. I asked one guy and he said they haven't been able to get a shipment in months. I can personally vouch for it's abscence in all 4 stores I visited. It was available in Penzoil brand.

Since this is something I confront frequently and seems to be getting worse instead of better is it possible that certain distillates are being diverted to allow more gas to be made, thus causing a shortage?

[mekrob]

I was under the impression that you couldn't change one derivative to another. Is that actually possible both theoretically and practically with our current refineries?

[grabby]

correctamundo.

Try and get ahold of asphalt products. Our local paving company is running into quadruple costs.

Reason: with the big outcry of oil this year, oil companies are diverting and double distilling the heavier compounds and even cracking them I hear.

They can produce up to 10% more fuel but there is then less heavier products.
This means it is not a game, it is a real shortage.

[mekrob]

Is there really that much need for this gasoline that they have to deprive other industries of their needed products? People whine and bitch about gas 33% higher but 300% higher for asphalt? But I guess who needs roads?

(I ask a lot of questions, don't I?)

[jato]

That could help to explain, in part, why oil production has been flat for 18 months, yet gasoline use has been on the rise. Maybe other petroleum products (asphalt) are being sacrificed for gasoline production.

[Doly]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jato', 'T')hat could help to explain, in part, why oil production has been flat for 18 months, yet gasoline use has been on the rise. Maybe other petroleum products (asphalt) are being sacrificed for gasoline production.