Ending ban on oil exports would mean cheaper gasoline, energy executive says

fuelfix.com ^ | August 22, 2014 at 7:51 pm | Vicki Vaughan

[ckilmer]

It has to do was the fact that it is easier to build a pipeline than it is to build a refinery anywhere in North America.
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What refiners have done for the last 40 year is just build out their existing refineries on the gulf coast rather than build new ones. So refining capacity has greatly expanded over that time.

[Pelham]

“If Reagan hadn’t deregulated the phone company do you think you’d have a cell phone today? No. They’d still be the size of a brick and cost $1k.”

Phone deregulation was the result of a DOJ antitrust suit brought against AT&T back in 1974. The final decision was rendered 10 years later which is why it appears to be part of Reagan’s program.

Cell phones require computing power to perform the complex handoffs that make the system work. The miniaturization of microprocessors by Intel opened the door for cell phones.

[thackney]

We would not be a total net exporter.

We would export the light sweet expensive oil and import heavy, sour cheaper oil we already optimized our refineries to run on.

[thackney]

We already refine more than we us and export the surplus. We don’t have a refinery shortage.

[thackney]

No. It just gives more government interference. What do you produce that you want them to decide who you are allowed to sell it to and for how much?

[dfwgator]

I here you on government interference. But the fact is, it is a matter of national security, how much of our foreign adventures are due to our dependence on foreign oil?

We should have taken the hint back in 1973, and instituted a program to make us energy independent.

[Tea Party Terrorist]

Efficient allocation.

[thackney]

Limiting exports effects the supply curve as much as the demand curve. It drives more investment in oil production to other countries. It isn’t helping us but keeping higher prices with less jobs.