Pump Mechanic
About the job
- Able and willing to work on-site, in-person at the Valero Memphis Refinery.
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Journeyman certification or equivalent from an accredited source required.
- A minimum of 5 years of rotating equipment or related experience, which may include experience as a machinist, millwright, or pump mechanic.
- Knowledge of basic physical and mechanical principles and craft math.
- Knowledge of bearings, seals, compressors, pumps and cylinders, valve and pipe configurations, shaft packing, and drive systems.
- Knowledge of metal characteristics and the types and applications of lubricants.
- Must be eligible to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card.
- Successful completion of a background check and hair-analysis drug screen is required.
- Install, inspect, and maintain rotating equipment within the refinery.
- Inspect, troubleshoot, and perform maintenance on rotating equipment, including centrifugal pumps, compressors, turbines, gearboxes, blowers, and fin fans, in accordance with API, ASME, and ANSI standards and original equipment manufacturer specifications.
- Adjust and align machinery and equipment.
- Use hand and power tools to complete assigned work tasks.
- Read and interpret schematics and drawings.
- Set up, prepare, and inspect the work site.
- Follow guidelines and procedures to ensure rotating equipment operates safely and reliably.
- Three years of maintenance experience in the petrochemical field.
- Previous experience with machine shop equipment such as column drills, lathes, milling machines, and associated tooling.
Valero is the best-in-class producer of essential fuels and products that are foundational to modern life. We invite you to join our ~10,000 employees to drive exceptional results for our company, the energy industry and our community.
At Valero, this role performs duties that support our commitment to advancing the future of energy through innovation, ingenuity, and unmatched execution, including\:
- Installs, inspects, and maintains rotating equipment within the refinery.
- Inspects, troubleshoots and performs maintenance on rotating equipment (centrifugal pumps, compressors, turbines, gear boxes, blowers, fin fans, etc.) per API/ASME/ANSI standards and OEM specifications.
- Adjusts and aligns machinery and equipment.
- Uses hand and power tools to complete assigned work tasks.
- Reads and interprets schematics and drawings.
- Is able to set-up, prepare, and inspect the work site.
- Demonstrates knowledge of basic physical and mechanical principles and craft math.
- Understands bearings, seals, compressors, pumps and cylinders, valve and pipe configurations, shaft packing, and drive systems.
- Understands characteristics of metals and is knowledgeable about the various types and applications of lubricants.
- Follows guidelines and procedures to ensure that rotating equipment is working in a safe and reliable manner..
This position is hourly nonexempt status, which means you are eligible for overtime pay.
Valero is the best-in-class producer of essential fuels and products that are foundational to modern life. We invite you to join our ~10,000 employees to drive exceptional results for our company, the energy industry and our community.
At Valero, this role performs duties that support our commitment to advancing the future of energy through innovation, ingenuity, and unmatched execution, including\:
- Installs, inspects, and maintains rotating equipment within the refinery.
- Inspects, troubleshoots and performs maintenance on rotating equipment (centrifugal pumps, compressors, turbines, gear boxes, blowers, fin fans, etc.) per API/ASME/ANSI standards and OEM specifications.
- Adjusts and aligns machinery and equipment.
- Uses hand and power tools to complete assigned work tasks.
- Reads and interprets schematics and drawings.
- Is able to set-up, prepare, and inspect the work site.
- Demonstrates knowledge of basic physical and mechanical principles and craft math.
- Understands bearings, seals, compressors, pumps and cylinders, valve and pipe configurations, shaft packing, and drive systems.
- Understands characteristics of metals and is knowledgeable about the various types and applications of lubricants.
- Follows guidelines and procedures to ensure that rotating equipment is working in a safe and reliable manner..
This position is hourly nonexempt status, which means you are eligible for overtime pay.
Minimum Requirements\:
- Able and willing to work on-site, in-person at the Valero Memphis Refinery, required.
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Journeyman certification (or equivalent) from an accredited source required.
- A minimum of 5 years of Rotating Equipment or related experience, which could include experience as a machinist, millwright, or pump mechanic required.
Preferred Requirements\:
- Three (3) years maintenance experience in the petrochemical field preferred.
- Previous experience with machine shop equipment such as column drills, lathes, milling machines and associated tooling preferred.
Need more reasons to work for a company that is both professionally challenging and culturally rewarding? Take a look at some of our best-in-class benefits\:
- Competitive Pay and Annual Bonus Program
- 100% match on 401(K) up to 7%, with immediate vesting
- Company-sponsored Pension Plan
- Comprehensive Healthcare and Wellness Program
Benefits described above are highlights only, subject to an employee’s eligibility and work location.
Discover more about Memphis and how we’re making a difference there.
All successful candidates must be eligible to obtain a TWIC card (Transportation Worker Identification Credential). It is Valero’s policy that employees must wear this card at all times while working at the refinery. Please review eligibility criteria at https\://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic.
Position level and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Valero's employees and team-focused culture drive our success. We’re invested in our dedicated workforce through a comprehensive, customizable benefits package, while supporting a caring culture that delivers a rewarding work environment built on teamwork, excellence and career growth. To explore the ways we build a stronger team, visit Valero.com/Careers.
Valero is an EEO Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected status, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Please be advised, if you are viewing this position on a website that lists an estimated salary rate/range, it was not provided by Valero. Valero’s market specific salary rate/range will be provided during the recruiting process and tends to be higher than what is estimated by such websites.
The posting may close earlier than the advertised date based on applications received.
Note\: Valero’s pre-employment process includes successful completion of a background check and hair-analysis drug screen.
Minimum Requirements\:
- Able and willing to work on-site, in-person at the Valero Memphis Refinery, required.
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Journeyman certification (or equivalent) from an accredited source required.
- A minimum of 5 years of Rotating Equipment or related experience, which could include experience as a machinist, millwright, or pump mechanic required.
Preferred Requirements\:
- Three (3) years maintenance experience in the petrochemical field preferred.
- Previous experience with machine shop equipment such as column drills, lathes, milling machines and associated tooling preferred.
Need more reasons to work for a company that is both professionally challenging and culturally rewarding? Take a look at some of our best-in-class benefits\:
- Competitive Pay and Annual Bonus Program
- 100% match on 401(K) up to 7%, with immediate vesting
- Company-sponsored Pension Plan
- Comprehensive Healthcare and Wellness Program
Benefits described above are highlights only, subject to an employee’s eligibility and work location.
Discover more about Memphis and how we’re making a difference there.
All successful candidates must be eligible to obtain a TWIC card (Transportation Worker Identification Credential). It is Valero’s policy that employees must wear this card at all times while working at the refinery. Please review eligibility criteria at https\://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic.
Position level and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Valero's employees and team-focused culture drive our success. We’re invested in our dedicated workforce through a comprehensive, customizable benefits package, while supporting a caring culture that delivers a rewarding work environment built on teamwork, excellence and career growth. To explore the ways we build a stronger team, visit Valero.com/Careers.
Valero is an EEO Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected status, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Please be advised, if you are viewing this position on a website that lists an estimated salary rate/range, it was not provided by Valero. Valero’s market specific salary rate/range will be provided during the recruiting process and tends to be higher than what is estimated by such websites.
The posting may close earlier than the advertised date based on applications received.
Note\: Valero’s pre-employment process includes successful completion of a background check and hair-analysis drug screen.
About the company
Valero Energy refines crude oil into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and asphalt, selling to wholesale buyers, airlines and branded fuel stations in North America and Europe. Unlike oil majors, it does not drill for oil; it buys crude and runs complex refineries along the U.S. Gulf Coast and Mid-Continent, in Quebec and in Wales. Through Diamond Green Diesel, a joint venture with Darling Ingredients, it turns waste fats and oils into renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, and it also runs corn ethanol plants in the Midwest. Valero earns money on the gap between crude costs and fuel prices, and sells under the Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Ultramar and Texaco brands. The company was founded in 1980 and is based in San Antonio, Texas.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
San Antonio, Texas
Founded
1980
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Ethanol adds a second engine: 12 Midwest plants make Valero the world's second-largest corn ethanol producer.
- Profits surged: net income hit $3.7 billion in the quarter ending June 2026, versus $714 million a year earlier.
- Renewables recovered: Diamond Green Diesel earned $717 million in the June 2026 quarter after losing $79 million a year earlier.
What critics are saying
- Valero is shrinking in California: closing its Benicia refinery cut 237 jobs between March and July 2026.
- Plant work carries hazards: a March 23, 2026 explosion at its Port Arthur refinery in Texas forced a shutdown.
- Earnings ride fuel margins alone: Valero has no pipeline or chemicals segment to steady results, unlike Phillips 66.
What makes Valero unique
- Its green fuel comes from waste: Diamond Green Diesel, co-owned with renderer Darling Ingredients, refines animal fats and used oils.
- Valero refines beyond the U.S.: it runs plants in Wales and Quebec and sells Texaco-branded fuel in Britain and Ireland.
- Valero sells straight into Mexico: long-term contracts give it import terminals at Veracruz and Altamira feeding inland depots by rail.
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Company News
Trump Energy Secretary wants U.S. Oil refineries back up and running to ease pain at gas pumps. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the Trump administration is working to reopen shuttered U.S. oil refineries and expand capacity, which officials say would bring down the price of fuel. Speaking in Houston, Wright said that officials are exploring restarts at multiple closed plants, according to a report from Reuters. "We are talking about reopening every refinery we can," he said. "There are dialogues there, and that's a tough challenge. I'm not saying all these are going to happen." Wright explained that the Trump administration is contacting owners of every refinery shut down in the past decade to determine which sites present the most workable restart options. The administration also announced it will make up to $150 million available under Title III of the Defense Production Act for projects that expand petroleum production, storage, and logistics at refineries nationwide. The Department of Energy said the funding is meant to lift domestic refining output by millions of gallons per day, improving supply and helping lower costs for households and businesses. Wright cast the effort as a break from prior policy. "After 17 years of Democrat leaders enacting energy subtraction policies that led to the closure of refineries and more expensive refined oil products, the Trump Administration is taking action to expand our nation's refining capacity and strengthen our energy security," he said. "Thanks to President Trump, America is producing more oil and gas than ever before and thanks to President Trump, we will soon be producing more refined products as well. These Defense Production Act funds will be used strategically and in partnership with private industry to rapidly bolster America's existing energy infrastructure." The funding rests on a determination by President Trump that petroleum production, refining, and related activities are essential to national defense. It follows a $1 billion appropriation for energy-related national security work included in legislation signed last year. Vice President J.D. Vance has previously cited the same authority as a tool for expanding capacity at a Texas refinery owned by Delek US Holdings. Most U.S. refineries are already running near full capacity, with the American Petroleum Institute reporting utilization rates of 95 percent to 100 percent. Recent closures include Valero's 145,000-barrel-per-day plant in Benicia, California; Phillips 66's 139,000-barrel-per-day Los Angeles complex; and LyondellBasell's 264,000-barrel-per-day Houston facility. Around the web. Wright has called a restart of the Benicia site especially difficult because of California's business climate. Fuel prices have risen amid disruptions linked to the Iran conflict and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries. AAA data cited in multiple reports show national averages above $6 per gallon for diesel and above $4 per gallon for regular gasoline. The administration has also pursued additional supply by working with refiners abroad, including in India, while easing certain diesel restrictions and coordinating emergency stockpile releases. Ad block users: Some site features may not work correctly while an ad blocker is enabled, because they break scripts and content this website depends on. If you can't see comments below, for example, please disable your ad blocker.
Valero made $6.8B in the last 3 months. High gas and diesel prices are connected to strong returns. Gas and diesel shortages have led to spiking costs at the pump, but they also helped Valero generate more net income in the past three months than the company made in 2024 and 2025 combined. The San Antonio-based oil refiner made $46 billion in profits and $6.8 billion after expenses and taxes between July and September of 2026, one of its best quarters ever. That was driven in large part by soaring income in Valero's refining sector. A global shortage in refining capacity means Valero can make more from the oil it refines. "The refining segment reported operating income of $8.8 billion for the third quarter of 2026, compared to $1.6 billion for the third quarter of 2025," Chief Financial Officer Homer Bhullar told investors on an earnings call Thursday morning. Valero also reported growth in its ethanol and renewable diesel sectors, which had $272 million and $353 million in net-income in the third quarter, respectively. In the third quarter of 2025, Valero made $183 million from its ethanol production and actually lost money, around $28 million, from its renewable diesel operations. Conflicts between Iran and U.S. and Israel led to blockades in the Strait of Hormuz over the past year that had prevented oil and gas from leaving the Middle East, increasing prices for consumers and leaving companies like Valero with less competition. Randy Hawkins, Valero's vice president of crude and feedstocks supply and trading, said that oil supplies were beginning to flow out of the Strait of Hormuz in larger quantities over the last few weeks. But freight and shipping costs were keeping oil prices high, even with that increased supply. "As the flow through the Straits increase, the inefficient process of the ship-to-ship transferring that they're doing for crude oil in the Gulf of Oman is really tying up global shipping and requiring more tankers to move the same amount of oil," Hawkins said. "This is in addition to you know insurance risk premiums, transshipment delays, higher bunker costs. They're all kind of driving freight higher." Hawkins added that Gulf Coast refiners are positioned to weather that storm, with close access to oil produced in the United States and in Latin America. The U.S. ouster of former president Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela opened oil supplies there to U.S. companies like Valero. Valero's stock has skyrocketed this year, and the company has returned profits of more than $40 per share to its investors as it benefits from multiple foreign policy decisions from President Donald Trump's administration. Local economic experts noted the role of global conflict in Valero's profits. Damaged refineries have created global shortages, particularly for diesel. "The world isn't short of oil. It's short of the ability to make gas from crude oil," said David Macpherson, chair of Trinity University's Economics Department. "War has affected refining capacity elsewhere." Taylor Collins, an associate professor of economics at the University of the Incarnate Word, said Valero actually processed less oil than it did at the same time last year, but its revenue per barrel nearly tripled. "Pump prices are being driven less by crude than by a shortage of refined fuel, especially diesel," Collins said. "War-damaged Gulf refineries are still exporting less fuel than before the war, Ukrainian drone strikes have cut Russian output and the International Energy Agency estimates global diesel supply was 1.7 million barrels a day lower in the third quarter than a year earlier." Collins added that the U.S. Energy Information Administration projects diesel prices to remain elevated at $6 a gallon this month and at an average of $4.50 a gallon in 2027. That will maintain Valero's strong margins, he added. On Thursday, Valero leaders told investors that demand has remained strong for their products, despite widespread concern about gas prices. Valero's Chief Operating Officer Gary Simmons said he was surprised that consumers hadn't changed their demand for gas and diesel. "In terms of a price level where you would expect some kind of demand destruction, I don't really know where that is, because most people would have predicted we would have already seen it," Simmons said. Preparing for the future. The good times will not keep rolling, Macpherson said. "There's a real cyclicality in those margins. Just because they're high now, doesn't mean it will be high forever," he said during the call. When offline or damaged refineries in the Middle East and Russia are repaired, Valero will have more competition. Demand for oil decreases when the economy slows down or contracts, Macpherson added. Valero is saving some of its surplus cash for changes in oil and gas commodity prices, according to Bhullar, the company's CFO. "When you have a rapid pullback in commodity prices, it's generally accompanied by a draw on working capital and a draw on cash," Bhullar said. "We wanted to make sure that we're not constrained on our ability to return cash to shareholders." Bhullar added that Valero is maintaining its scheduled investments into its refinery infrastructure. In the third quarter, Valero completed updates to its St. Charles, Louisiana, facilities on schedule. Repairs to its Port Arthur refinery are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. Texas and the Gulf Coast continue to be the center of the company's refining operations. Bhullar projected Valero to produce between 1.8 million and 1.9 million barrels per day in that region, while producing no more than 500,000 barrels per day in each of its other regions. Collins anticipated that Valero would continue investing in other Texas facilities in the near future. He also anticipated that Valero's profits would mostly find their way to the company's shareholders and owners, including investors like Vanguard and BlackRock. "History suggests the windfall won't add many local jobs: after a then-record $11.5 billion profit in 2022, Valero's workforce held at about 9,800 through 2025, while it spent more than $9 billion buying back stock in 2022 and 2023," Collins said. He added that the robust profits would help job security at the company's San Antonio headquarters.
Valero (VLO) posts $8.8 billion refining income and cash flow. What happened. Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE VLO) reported third-quarter 2026 net income attributable to stockholders of $6.8 billion, or $23.89 per share. Adjusted net income was $6.8 billion, or $23.90 per share, compared with $1.1 billion, or $3.66 per share, in the third quarter of 2025. Refining segment operating income was $8.8 billion, compared with $1.6 billion in the third quarter of 2025. The company said the St. Charles FCC Unit optimization project was completed during the quarter, on schedule and within budget. Valero also repaid $100 million of 7.65% Debentures and $426 million of 3.400% Senior Notes that matured in July and September. Capital investments totaled $432 million, including $371 million for sustaining the business. Key numbers. | Metric | Latest | Change | Source | | Refining segment operating income | $8.8 billion | from $1.6 billion, +$7.2 billion | SEC 8-K | | Adjusted operating income | $8.8 billion | from $1.7 billion, +$7.1 billion | SEC 8-K | | Net income attributable to Valero stockholders | $6.83 billion | from $1.10 billion, +$5.73 billion | SEC 8-K | | Earnings per common share | $23.90 | from $3.54, +$20.36 | SEC 8-K | | Net cash provided by operating activities | $6.93 billion | from $1.88 billion, +$5.05 billion | SEC 8-K | Why it matters. OptimistFi's case is that Valero converts scale, integrated refining assets and a strong balance sheet into cash in cycles. This filing strengthens that view with a sharp rebound in refining earnings and strong cash generation. Refining segment operating income rose by $7.2 billion from the third quarter of 2025, and adjusted operating income matched the reported figure at $8.8 billion. Renewable Diesel operating income was $353 million after a $28 million loss a year earlier, and Ethanol operating income rose to $272 million from $183 million. Net cash provided by operating activities was $6.9 billion, while adjusted operating cash flow was $7.3 billion, against $432 million of capital investments. Valero ended the quarter with $9.8 billion of cash and cash equivalents and $8.6 billion of total debt. The main caveat is that operating cash flow included a $526 million unfavorable impact from working capital, so part of the cash figure reflects timing effects. What's next. Valero's senior management will hold a conference call at 10 a.m. ET today to discuss the earnings release and provide an update on operations and strategy. Confirmation that the St. Charles FCC Unit optimization project is working as planned would support the case, while a weaker cash flow update would temper it. From optimistfi perps. Sources. * SEC 8-K - Third quarter 2026 earnings release and tables * SEC filing Browse every company OptimistFi covers at optimistfi.com/stocks, or read the latest evidence-first research. The full Valero Energy Corporation investment case, its status and the next test to watch live on the Valero Energy Corporation thesis page. Originally published on OptimistFi, evidence-first equity research. More at optimistfi.com.
Raymond James raises target to USD 100 for Delek US Holdings stock. Published on 10/20/2026 at 22:09 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS Second-quarter revenue reached USD 4.09 billion, up 47.90 percent. Delek US Holdings stock costs EUR 69.01 on October 20, 2026 at 10:07 p.m. CEST. Raymond James raises target. * Raymond James raised its Delek US target from USD 90.00 to USD 100.00 on October 19, 2026. * Second-quarter revenue reached USD 4.09 billion, up 47.90 percent year over year. * Delek US Holdings stock costs EUR 69.01 at Lang & Schwarz on October 20, 2026 at 10:07 p.m. CEST. Raymond James raised its Delek US price target to USD 100.00 from USD 90.00 and kept an Outperform rating on October 19, 2026, according to Markets Insider. The stock was trading at EUR 69.01 at Lang & Schwarz on October 20, 2026 at 10:07 p.m. CEST. Discover more Plan Finances Invest in Stocks Revenue reached USD 4.09 billion. Delek US reported USD 4.09 billion in second-quarter 2026 revenue, up 47.90 percent from USD 2.76 billion in the prior-year quarter. Net income attributable to common shareholders reached USD 169.5 million, compared with a GAAP net loss of USD 106.4 million a year earlier, according to Markets Insider. The investor-relations page describes Delek US as a downstream energy company with refining, logistics and renewable-fuels operations. Its refining system has stated crude throughput capacity of 302,000 barrels per day, according to Delek US Holdings. Stock sits below its yearly high. On the NYSE, DK was last at USD 77.64 on October 20, 2026 at 3:59 p.m. ET. The quote was 5.63 percent below the USD 82.27 52-week high and above the USD 25.85 low; trading volume was 1,285,397 shares. Delek US had a market capitalization of USD 4.8 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.81. Valuation and November date. Raymond James' USD 100.00 target stands 28.80 percent above the NYSE price of USD 77.64, using the same October 20, 2026 trading snapshot. A separate update from Markets Insider said Goldman Sachs raised its target to USD 97.00 from USD 83.00 on October 15, 2026. Delek US is scheduled to host its third-quarter 2026 conference call on November 6, 2026, according to the Financial Times. Comparison with peers. Delek US: up 3.41 percent, price-to-earnings ratio 21.81, market capitalization USD 4.8 billion. Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE, USD): up 0.10 percent, price-to-earnings ratio 17.99, market capitalization USD 124.9 billion. Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE, USD): up 0.27 percent, price-to-earnings ratio 16.35, market capitalization USD 133.4 billion. What the target means. The target revisions place valuation and refining execution beside the sharp second-quarter improvement. The November 6 reporting date is the next scheduled point at which investors can compare operating results with the updated analyst view. Discover more Track Stock Market Explore Exchanges Stock remains below its high. Delek US Holdings combines a stronger second-quarter earnings base with a stock price below its 52-week high. The next company report will provide a fresh operating comparison. The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of Delek US Holdings stock. Delek US Holdings at a glance. * Company: Delek US Holdings, Inc. * ISIN: US24665A1034 * Ticker: DK * Primary exchange: NYSE * Price Lang & Schwarz (as of October 20, 2026, 10:07 p.m. CEST): EUR 69.01 * Market capitalization: USD 4.8 billion (as of October 20, 2026) * Sector / Industry: Energy / Oil and Gas Refining and Marketing Sponsored Ad Delek US stock: new analysis - 24 October. Fresh Delek US information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Disclaimer regarding our articles: This is not investment advice, nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell. Information regarding prices, companies, and markets is provided without guarantee; changes may occur at any time. Stock market transactions can result in significant losses. Our articles are created and reviewed, in whole or in part, automatically with the assistance of AI. en | US24665A1034 | DK | boerse | 70378464 | bgmi
325.5 billion dollars in 2026... profits of American refining companies * Refined products offset crude costs * $243 billion in profits for 8 companies in 2025 * Oil refinery output highest in 5 years October 2, 2026 12:19 pm | Last updated: October 2, 2026 13:09 Reading time - 2 minutes Independent American refineries are expected to generate $325.5 billion in revenue in 2026, driven by record margins, supply disruptions, and increased production and exports amid calls for government intervention. The Financial Times said that revenues of the eight independent American refining companies are expected to reach $325.5 billion during the current year, compared with $242.9 billion the previous year, based on the companies' second-quarter results and Wall Street's third-quarter forecasts. This jump comes as the rise in crude oil costs is offset - more than expected - by strong prices for refined products, pushing refining margins to record levels. Arne Schiaveland, an analyst at Rystad Energy, points out that fuel supply disruptions caused by conflicts in the Middle East and Russia are radically changing financial performance, with profit margins approaching levels not seen by markets except during the 2022 energy crisis. The three largest independent oil refining companies - Valero, Marathon Petroleum, and Phillips 66 - are expected to achieve net profits of $8.7 billion, $10.9 billion, and $7.9 billion, respectively, during the six months ending in September. All eight refining companies are also expected to maintain their profitability in the third quarter, as they raise production rates to record levels to meet the global shortage in diesel and other fuel supplies. U.S. refinery output reached its highest level in five years, recording 17.4 million barrels per day in August, as facilities operated at more than 95% of their production capacity for 15 consecutive weeks - the longest such period since 1998 - according to Rystad Energy data. Exports of diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, and naphtha rose to 2.8 million barrels per day, compared with 2.3 million barrels the previous year, as buyers in Europe and Latin America sought alternatives to limited supplies coming from the Middle East and Russia. Integrated oil companies are also benefiting from this situation; Chevron announced its highest quarterly profit in its history during the three months ending in June, while Exxon Mobil recorded its strongest quarterly profit since 2022. This profit boom has escalated calls for intervention in Washington, including calls to impose a ban on diesel exports or impose a windfall profits tax on oil companies. Democrats are pushing toward passing the Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act, while some Republican lawmakers from agricultural states support imposing restrictions on exports, hoping to lower fuel costs for farmers. The Trump administration is studying options for dealing with the sharp rise in diesel and gasoline prices ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for November, but it has so far resisted the idea of imposing an export ban. Energy analysts warn that such a move could push refining companies to reduce production and raise prices for other types of fuel, while the American Petroleum Institute stresses that refineries are already operating near maximum capacity, and that current price levels reflect a severe disruption in global supplies, not deliberate behavior by companies. The war and the expansion of sanctions imposed on Iran have increased concerns about supply disruptions, pushing Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate prices sharply higher.