EIA: U.S. Refineries Ran at Highest Summer Rates Since 1998 in 2026

U.S. refineries ran at higher-than-normal rates in 2026, with utilization averaging more than 95% of capacity between May and September, the highest for those months since 1998, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The EIA said tight global supplies of petroleum products this year boosted margins, particularly for diesel, encouraging refineries to increase their run rates. According to the agency, this year's refinery runs were driven largely by tight global supplies of distillate fuel oil, which led to high international demand for U.S. distillate exports.

Since 1991, U.S. refinery utilization has averaged 92% from May to September, compared with 88% in the other seven months, the EIA said. Refineries typically run hardest in summer to supply gasoline for peak driving season, while distillate demand peaks in the fall and winter.

The agency noted that although utilization was the highest since 1998, total U.S. refinery output was only the highest since 2019, because refining capacity has decreased by 4% since then.

In the first three weeks of October, U.S. refinery utilization fell from its summer highs but remained above the 2021–2025 seasonal average, according to the EIA. The analysis was based on data from the agency's Weekly Petroleum Status Report.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/340