Thanks for the website offer. I'll probably take you up on it one of these days.

I think you are right about the spread question. Since refinery configurations determine spread, I suppose an absolute figure could be viewed as more relevant than a relative figure.

By this I mean, if the refining industry expends an average of $5 more to refine a heavy crude, it should cost about $5 less. So a $15 dollar spread is telling us something, even though in terms of the base price it is unchanged.

I do think this is worth exploring as it is another useful clue to what is going on out there.

Thanks for the Jubak link. Not sure the guy should put his photo up there though.

I have nothing to do with spread question. In fact I know very little about the spread issue. Any credit is due smekhovo. I was only trying to debunk him, when I realized he might have a point.

Jubak's great. I'm glad Dave finally got turned on to him. Very smart guy and totally "with it" on energy issues. He follows the money. I can only hope he pays attention to environmental and moral issues with the same tenacity.

As far as his photo...what, you don't like large mustaches? I guess only AlphaMaleProphetOfDoom and his girlies would be impressed.