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Low crude prices are finally squeezing refineries’ margins

A combining of two smaller refinery operators show consolidation is under way.

Low crude prices are finally squeezing refineries’ margins
JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD/AFP/Getty Images

The oil industry has seen waves of consolidation in the two years since crude prices plunged: oil producers, pipeline companies, companies that service oil fields. But refineries held up for a long time. For them, low prices for oil — their raw material — meant higher profits. But now the changing economics of oil are changing the economics of refining. Tesoro announced it’s buying Western Refining for about $4 billion. 

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