[goldstategop]

ExxonMobil makes 9 cents a gallon off every gallon of gas sold. The federal and state governments take most of the rest. But you won't ever hear any one suggest the government could do without that tax revenue. After all, government is viewed as above gouging the public.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

[WVNan]

Most excellent probe.

[Pessimist]

I'm not blaming the oil companies, and I certainly don't wan't the gvt to get involved, but in the interest of fairness and accuracy I have to point out this:

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=115024&p=irol-newsArticle&t=Regular&id=828850&

"When it comes to delivering superior return on investments, Tillerson pointed out that ExxonMobil led the industry in 2005 with return on capital employed (ROCE) of 31 percent. "In our view, ROCE continues to be the best overall measure of financial performance given the long-term and capital-intensive nature of our industry. I would be cautious of anyone who tries to deemphasize it," said Tillerson."

You have to admit, 31% is really something for a mature commodity. No?

Even Microsoft doesn't get that.

[Patinator]

Can someone give me an accurate breakdown of the composition of a gallon of oil. It is confusing to go back and forth between percentages and cents/gallon unless all of the components are mentioned.

I'll start.

$70/barrel of crude / 42 gallons per barrel = $1.67 at the pump. Assuming $3.00 at the pump, that leaves another $1.33 to go.

Cost to refine = ?
Taxes = ?
Profit = ?
Something else = ?

Thanks

[Patinator]

...gallon of *gas*

[RightWhale]

There are 17 billion recoverable barrels of oil on the North Slope. It will require $100 billion investment to get it out. That money will be provided by the oil companies, probably, if they are allowed to keep their profits.

[IamConservative]

As an interesting aside, I recently replaced the paper air filter in my pickup with a permanent K+N air filter and my gas mileage went from the low 16's to 19 MPG. Every 7500 miles or so, you take the K+N filter out, clean it with soap and water and re-oil it for re-use.

I was pleasantly surprised.