[Hojczyk]

The fools do not understand we have ti import heavy crude because the refineries here are not up to speed on the sweeter crude.. think Venezuela

[bakkentom]

So US produces about 13 million bbl per day and imports about 7 mbbl/day to satisfy total consumption of 20 million bbl/day. Most of that 7 mbbl/day is to dilute our shale produced sweet crude with heavy crude to feed our domestic refineries.

Much of that heavy crude is from Canada, Mexico, and Venezuela (Saudi Arabia now with Maduro sanctioned).

Are we starting to convert any refineries to handle sweet crude only?

[Crucial]

I feel like you’re making an important point. What is wrong with our refineries?

[Wonder Warthog]

"The fools do not understand we have ti import heavy crude because the refineries here are not up to speed on the sweeter crude.. think Venezuela"

There is plenty of heavy crude in California. And refineries can be "re-tuned" (actually "de-tuned") to handle the sweeter crude. Some fracked output almost requires no refining due to a higher proportion of light ends. IOW, industry can and will adjust to match the feedstock mix.