[Alberta's Child]

The cost of raw crude might be relatively low, but there's a very important point to note here. The cost of refining is a major component of the price, and refining costs have increased dramatically in recent years as the U.S. has imported more and more oil from places like Canada and Mexico. This oil is not the light crude that is ideal for refining into gasoline, so it takes a lot more effort to make gasoline out of the heavier crude.

[EagleUSA]

This oil is not the light crude that is ideal for refining into gasoline, so it takes a lot more effort to make gasoline out of the heavier crude.
------
True. Lots of variables.

[thackney]

The cost of raw crude might be relatively low, but there's a very important point to note here. The cost of refining is a major component of the price

Both statements are incorrect.

[jec41]

This oil is not the light crude that is ideal for refining into gasoline, so it takes a lot more effort to make gasoline out of the heavier crude.

Only 30% of the refineries in the world can handle sour heavy oil. US refineries have been updated and 2/3 can handle sour oil. If not for that ingenuity and investment by US oil companies gas would be a lot higher.

[RHINO369]

"The cost of raw crude might be relatively low, but there's a very important point to note here. The cost of refining is a major component of the price, and refining costs have increased dramatically in recent years as the U.S. has imported more and more oil from places like Canada and Mexico. This oil is not the light crude that is ideal for refining into gasoline, so it takes a lot more effort to make gasoline out of the heavier crude."

Except teh cost of raw crude isn't relatively low. Its at the highest its EVER been. (Well in the 1970s it was cheaper but a dollar was worth more then) Over half the cost of gas comes from just buying crude oil.