Not surprising that Exxon makes some or all of the oil. Exxon supplies more non-Exxon companies than probably almost anyone. When I was working, they supplied ALL of Castrol's oils, for instance. Castrol never (and probably still don't) make a drop of oil.
The lube oil manufacturing plant that I worked in as a new graduate in Baytown, Texas is still probably the largest lube oil manufacturing plant in the world. Second largest in the US was their lube and wax plant in Baton Rouge, La but tied with another major supplier. The Baton Rouge plant is the largest wax supplier in the US. Wax is removed from oil to lower the pour point.
Some manufacturers (incl. Exxon) convert some wax to a semi synthetic oil.
Of course, Mobil makes and sells a full synthetic that is made from a poly alpha olefin feedstock that is VERY expensive, because it is used to make automobile plastics.
Don't complain to oil companies about the price of gasoline or diesel. They make very little money on these. The price is set mainly by the feedstock (crude) price. Just divide the price of crude by 42 to get the per gallon feedstock price. You'll find only about 60 or 70 cents add-on by manufacturing, taxes and shipping. The biggest add-on is taxes.
What oil companies are really making money on is specialties, like oil and plastics, but also in their share of the price of crude they take from wells. However, the price of crude is being set by demand and the main suppliers in Arabia, Russian, Mexico and Venezuela. What's really setting the price is DEMAND. You're contributing to it if you're not running the lowest hp tractor, truck and car you can get by with and by excessive mowing and other things. Think about that truck or car use. If you really only need to tow or carry big loads on rare occasions, consider renting a Uhaul or similar to do those towing or hauling duties. Even a little 10' Uhaul would carry a pretty good load and pull a big trailer.
You're also contributing if you let your tractor, truck or car sit and idle for long periods of time. I stopped by a garage sale the other day during the week, in the morning. I parked, shut off my car engine and went to look. A contractor came in, parked beside my little car with his HUGE Ford F150 and left it running! I asked him about this. He said he didn't care; his employer paid for the gas. Well, guess who is causing more demand and raising the price of his gas: HIM.
Ralph
