With refiners operating at historically low rates during the fourth quarter 2009 due to weak petroleum demand throughout the year, it is anticipated that U.S. independent refiners, including Valero Energy, Tesoro Corp., Marathon Oil Corp. and Sunoco, could be posting their largest quarterly losses for the year, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Marketing and refining earnings were US$17 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with $152 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Refining operations generated a loss of $40 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with income of $27 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, as a result of lower refining margins.

Refining and marketing adjusted earnings for ConocoPhillips for fourth-quarter 2009 showed a loss of US$204 million vs. fourth-quarter 2008 earnings of $753 million.

Valero Energy Corp. officials reported Jan. 27 a fourth quarter loss from continuing operations, excluding special items, of US$155 million, or 28¢ per share. This compares with fourth quarter 2008 income from continuing operations, excluding special items, of $795 million, or $1.53 per share.

Alkylation capacity has remained flat or declined due to gasoline overcapacity and increased use of alternative fuels. Future growth in alkylation capacity will be located outside of Organization for Economic and Cooperation Development countries.

On Jan. 25, the Global Biofuels Center released a special report on Brazilian Ethanol Outreach, which examined the Latin American country’s efforts to expand the use of ethanol around the world.

French Industry Minister Christian Estrosi said Jan. 25 that the government is ready to pressure Total to prevent it from closing a refinery in northern France that would result in hundreds of job losses, according to Agence France Presse.