What gas station are we supposed to buy from? Saudi gas or Venezuela gas? It seems Venezuela is less of a danger to us than Saudi. What other options are there?

Avatar on December 5, 2006 at 1:40 pm

A closer reading of the linked article would reveal that the subject company, Susser Petroleum, is dropping its affiliation with Citgo and replacing it with an affiliaton with Valero (formerly Diamond Shamrock) because Citgo is no longer going to distribute gas in Oklahoma where Susser is located.
The article does not establish any connection between Valero and Citgo. If anything, this is a positive development in the retraction of Citgo in the US market. You should be congratulating Susser Petroleum and encouraging Valero, one of the few US owned petroleum sellers left.
THAT’S JUST ONE ARTICLE I LINKED TO, BUT CITGO STATIONS ACROSS AMERICA ARE NOW CHANGING THEIR NAME TO VALERO, TO HID THE CITGO AFFILIATION. IT’S NOT JUST THOSE FEW STATIONS IN OKLAHOMA. CHRISTIAN ARABS I KNOW WHO OWN GAS STATIONS IN THE DETROIT AREA WERE THE ONES WHO ALERTED ME.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL

UncleKenny on December 5, 2006 at 1:43 pm

I don’t know where this Valero=Citgo came from, but, the Valero Corp is a San Antonio, TX based company. Back in ’01, I believe, they bought Diamond Shamrock and are in the process of ‘re-branding’ these stations as Valero. Now, it’s entirely possible that 7-11 contracted with Valero to supply gas for 7-11 stores after the Citgo contract was terminated.
SEE MY RESPONSE TO THE COMMENT ABOVE.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL

mcvideo on December 5, 2006 at 1:47 pm

THAT’S JUST ONE ARTICLE I LINKED TO, … CHRISTIAN ARABS I KNOW WHO OWN GAS STATIONS IN THE DETROIT AREA WERE THE ONES WHO ALERTED ME.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL
So much for the investigative part of investigative journalism. Wouldn’t you think some actual plumbing of the (alleged) corporate relationship between Valero and Citgo might be in order before you start equating their logos in this fashion?
NO NEED TO DO MUCH ON THIS AS THEIR ARE PLENTY OF ARTICLES ON THIS AND HOW CITGO STATIONS ARE NOW CHANGING TO VALERO LOGOS. IT’S HAPPENING ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY. IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO BUY CITGO, VALERO IS THE PLACE FOR YOU. BUT NOT FOR ME OR ANY OF MY READERS WHO DON’T WANT TO SUPPORT CHAVEZ. VALERO ENERGY IS NOT IN THE GAS STATION BIZ. THEY ARE LENDING THEIR NAME (FOR PROFIT) IN A LICENSING DEAL TO CONCEAL CITGO STATIONS’ REAL IDENTITY. SAD THAT YOU DON’T HAVE A PROB WITH THAT. BUT I DO.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL

UncleKenny on December 5, 2006 at 2:29 pm

You know, I have looked for such articles and I would think that a wholesale adoption by Citgo-owned stations of the Valero brand would be big news. There doesn’t seem to be any evidence of anything but independent distributors switching to Valero from Citgo in response to Citgo’s contraction. Now you might quibble about where Valero gets some of its crude, but your contention about a relationship is merely rumor-mongering at this point, without some backup.
I would be the first one to suggest a Valero boycott, if you could prove the connection, but here in Houston, we still tend to view Valero as one of the good guys (as opposed to Citgo) and would be disappointed to see proof otherwise.
THERE’S PLENTY OF EVIDENCE. VALERO IS MAKING MONEY OFF OF USING ITS NAME TO SHIELD CITGO. WHY? DO YOU WORK FOR VALERO OR OWN ITS STOCK? APPARENTLY, YOU DON’T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ITS NEW “RELATIONSHIP” WITH CITGO. FACE THE FACTS OR PERHAPS MORE THAN YOUR HEAD BELONGS BENEATH THE SAND.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL

UncleKenny on December 5, 2006 at 2:45 pm

I’m with Avatar. If I have to give my money to Saudi Arabia or South America, I will buy from Citgo every day. Please tell me if there is better option.

LoveAManInAUniform on December 5, 2006 at 3:02 pm

Your article is irresponsible and clearly shows that you have not done proper research. You coudn’t be more wrong about your conclusions. You are playing on peoples emotions and hysteria with Your call of a boycott of Valero. You should do some research now and learn the facts. You clearly have not done this. You should retract your erroneous conclusions and you should apologize to the American company Valero and all of its hard working employess. You are not credible.
NOTHING IRRESPONSIBLE ABOUT IT. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND HAVE REPORTED THE FACTS. DO YOU WORK FOR VALERO? WHY IS VALERO ALLOWING ITS “GOOD” NAME TO BE USED TO SHIELD CITGO? THAT’S WHAT’S HAPPENING. NOW YOU MAY RETURN YOUR HEAD TO THE SAND-BURIAL. WAKE THE HECK UP OR DIE. THE ONLY THING IRRESPONSIBLE IS VALERO SELLING ITS NAME TO CITGO.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL

sensible on December 5, 2006 at 3:22 pm

debbie, have you talk to theo epstien of the red sox and asked to remove the citgo sign from kenmore square let start there

PNAMARBLE on December 5, 2006 at 6:11 pm

You clearly have no idea what you are talking about.
I CLEARLY DO. YOU CLEARLY HAVE NO PROOF TO REFUTE ME, SO YOU RESORT TO EMPTY, “YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT” CLAIMS, WHEN I’VE PROVIDED THE EVIDENCE. WAKE UP OR SHUT UP.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL

sensible on December 5, 2006 at 9:40 pm

I invite you to the read the comments that I’ve put on my blog @ http://tradingnoise.com/ regarding your comments about Susser and Valero Energy.
YOUR SOURCE IS THE LIBERAL, MOSTLY WRONG SNOPES?! HAH! THAT SITE ALSO CLAIMED THAT CARIBOU COFFEE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TERRORISM, THEN READ MY NEW YORK POST COLUMN ON IT AND CHANGED THEIR TUNE SLIGHTLY–BUYING THE CARIBOU LYING PRESS RELEASE, HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER. AND SNOPES CLAIMED THAT TARGET AND OTHER STORES DIDN’T GET RID OF “MERRY CHRISTMAS” LAST SEASON, WHEN THIS WAS DOCUMENTED IN THE WALL ST. JOURNAL. AND SNOPES CLAIMED THAT THE DRY RUN BY SYRIANS ON A NORTHWEST AIRLINES FLIGHT WAS NOT A DRY RUN, WHEN FEDERAL AIR MARSHALS SAID IT WAS. YOU CAN’T BELIEVE A THING SNOPES SAYS. IF IT CLAIMS ONE THING, THE TRUTH IS GENERALLY THE OPPOSITE.
BUT, SINCE YOU BELIEVE THE LIB LIARS AT SNOPES SO MUCH, I HAVE SOME LAND UNDERNEATH THE DETROIT RIVER TO SELL YOU. BARGAIN PRICE.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL

tradingnoise on December 6, 2006 at 12:02 am

Debbie, you’re wrong, actually.
It looks like Valero DID aquire Diamond Shamrock, and not citgo: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/finance/mergers/vuindex.html
http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/c4031.htm
And according this blog entry, it seems like Valero are the good guys:
http://sadbastards.wordpress.com/2006/08/21/circle-k-drops-venezuelan-owned-citgo-gas-and-goes-with-texas%E2%80%99-valero-energy/
Seems even circle k got fed and dropped their deal with citgo and is getting oil from valero, which uses ENTIRELY DIFFERENCE crude sources than citgo.
Google is your friend, you can find may sources about the valero diamond shamrock merger by typing in: valero diamond shamrock
and any info on the “citgo involvement” with valero by typing “valero citgo”.
I even found articles from USA Today and Forbes that illustrate how citgo is AFRAID of valero because they’re doing so well. Look:
From usatoday:
“But at a time when industrywide profit margins are fat, some competitors have done much better. Industry leader Valero, for example, earned $2.7 billion on $56.3 billion in revenue for the same period. For every sales dollar, Valero earned 4.7 cents in profit. Citgo reaped just 1.3 cents.”
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2006-01-11-citgo-cover-usat_x.htm
Forbes speculates that Valero would LIKE to buy a citgo refinery..but keep in mind the refinery would then switching to refining VALERO crude:
“If Chavez does get his way, the big winners will be Citgo’s competitors. On Feb. 1, Valero Energy (nyse: VLO – news – people ) Chief Executive Bill Greehey told Reuters that he’d be interested in Citgo’s 159,000 barrel-per-day refinery (Valero can’t buy the Corpus Christi unit because it has a larger one across the street). Premcor (nyse: PCO – news – people ) might also benefit from a fire sale”
http://www.forbes.com/business/2005/02/03/cz_df_0203citgo.html
It seems like if any citgo’s are switching to Valero at all..they’re actually completely DITCHING the citgo OIL too, and going with valero ENTIRELY, not just rebranding.
Again, google is your friend.
ACTUALLY, I’M NOT WRONG. DIAMOND SHAMROCK HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT I WROTE ABOUT. VALERO LICENSED ITS NAME TO SHIELD CITGO STATIONS. PERIOD. END OF STORY.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL

FSM-FTW!(descent) on December 6, 2006 at 10:10 am

Debbie – it’s simple economics. You need to understand how the industry works before you try and slam somebody in it. I’ve read some of your stuff throughout this blog, and a lot of it’s good stuff… but this – you’ve made yourself look silly because you don’t know how the industry works.
NO, IT’S SIMPLE FACT-CHECKING. AND THE FACT IS THAT VALERO LICENSED ITS NAME TO SHIELD THE CITGO NAME ON MANY GAS STATIONS. PERIOD.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL

tradingnoise on December 6, 2006 at 12:36 pm

Here is data that I got from a financial message board regarding Oil Companies who buy oil from Venezuela:
Here are the figures for Company Level Imports from Venezuela for September ’06.
CHALMETTE REFG LLC 2,358,000
CHEVRON CORP 1,793,000
CITGO ASPH REFG CO 3,717,000
CITGO PETRO CORP 6,411,000
CONOCOPHILLIPS CO 7,835,000
EXXONMOBIL OIL CORP 412,000
FLINT HILLS RESOURCES LP 560,000
HOVENSA LLC 10,880,000
LYONDELL CITGO REFG LP 5,774,000
MARATHON PETRO CO LLC 551,000
SHELL OIL CO 475,000
SUNOCO INC 1,247,000
TOTAL PETROCHEM USA INC 552,000
VALERO MKTG & SUPPLY CO 2,199,000
Grand Total 44,764,000
In the interest of fairness, maybe You should also call for a boycott of the other Oil Companies who use Venezuelan Crude and not single out just one company.

frank on December 8, 2006 at 2:05 pm

Debbie – I find it very interesting that Lionel Waxman has posted a correction on his website stating that this connection you are trying to make is false… and he regrets the error.
http://waxmanmedia.com/cgi-local/news2.cgi?transcripts&11341114429
LIONEL WAXMAN IS WRONG. I’VE NEVER CITED HIM BEFORE. CERTAINLY A REASON NOT TO START NOW. HE’S INCORRECT.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL

tradingnoise on December 8, 2006 at 4:46 pm

Another blogger, Lionel Waxman, who made the same statements about Valero and Citgo that you made (citing You as his source) has now issued a retraction. Here is the statement:
“Lionel Waxman
FLASHPOINT CORRECTS ERROR
December 8, 2006
Two days ago, Flashpoint posted information which it said was from Debbie Schlussel’s website. We cited her as to the fact that Citgo stations are being rebranded Valero to disguise their ownership by Venezuela, whose president has made hostile comments about the United States.
Objections were received from several readers that this fact was untrue. I am satisfied now, after further research, that the representation in fact is false. In fact, there is no connection between Citgo and Valero. We regret having purveyed this error. ”
http://waxmanmedia.com/cgi-local/news2.cgi?transcripts&11341114429
Will You now do the same?
NO, BECAUSE HE’S WRONG. HE ISSUED AN INCORRECT CORRECTION. CITING THAT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. BUT I CONGRATULATE THE VALERO DISINFO CAMPAIGN ON ITS OVERTIME EFFORTS (WHICH GOT TO HIM, BUT WON’T GET TO ME).
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL

frank on December 8, 2006 at 4:56 pm

You seem to want to disagree with the reality, but I will try again to convince you. Here are the real facts:
1) Citgo, the Venz company and all US subs, doesn’t own a single gas station in the US. Every single place you see a Citgo sign is owned by some other individual or company. Most of those owners are American or American based. If you don’t believe me and your Arab friends in the gasoline business really are, they can verify that for you.
2) Yes many Citgo stations are rebranding from the Citgo brand to VLO (and other) brand. But the ownership of those stations remains independent. Neither Citgo nor VLO has ownership in those stations. And under the new VLO (and other) brands no funds are flowing from those rebranded stations to Venz. NONE. Nada. Nothing.
Now as to my background, I work in commercial operations of a company with a major refining and marketing business in the US. It is neither Citgo nor VLO, but a direct, large competitor of both. As such your rumor can only help me. But that doesn’t mean I will support it. It is simply false (as has been noted Flashpoint now agrees.)

fore on December 8, 2006 at 5:35 pm

Admitting that you are wrong doesn’t constitute a weakness – actually, it’s quite the opposite… What’s funny is that you have yet to provide ANY link between Valero retail and Venezuela.
You are a prime example in irresponsible journalism.

tradingnoise on December 8, 2006 at 5:58 pm

By the way… you’ve claimed that Valero is not in the “gas station” business? How could this be when they are owner/operators of 976 retail stations (as of the end of 3rd Quarter 2006).
They also aren’t in the “gas station” business, but are able to report to the Securities Exchange Commission over 1.8 billion in retail unit assets?
They also aren’t in the “gas station” business, but are again, able to report to the SEC over $96 million in operating income?
Do the research, Debbie. That’s all that anybody is asking. Here’s the latest 10-Q filed with the SEC:
http://www.valero.com/docs/InvestorRelations/QuarterlyReports/3Q06_10-Q.pdf

tradingnoise on December 8, 2006 at 6:12 pm

Ms Schlussel, I have read that You are an Attorney, but I find this very hard to believe because Your statements regarding Valero Energy could not be more wrong, and is contrary to all of the FACTS. You have been presented with fact after fact here in the comments, yet you stick with Your opinion that:
“Valero Gas Stations= CITGO = Venezuela = Chavez”.
I thought Attorneys understood the obligation to check facts before issuing statements that could harm others financially. You have obviously not done any fact checking. I also thought attorneys understood Libel.

frank on December 8, 2006 at 6:26 pm

NO, IT’S SIMPLE FACT-CHECKING. AND THE FACT IS THAT VALERO LICENSED ITS NAME TO SHIELD THE CITGO NAME ON MANY GAS STATIONS. PERIOD
Really what fact checking have you done? Share those FACTS with us. The only fact you have is lots of previously branded Citgo stations (not owned by Citgo) are rebranding to VLO. Of course lots are rebranding to other brands as well and lots of othter brands are going to VLO also. So that fact means NOTHING.
The only other evidence you have shared with us is the word of some anonymous (to all but you) Christian Arab friend in the business. Of course why that he is (or isn’t) Christian is mentioned I don’t have a clue. Why you mention that he is Arab, I don’t have a clue. And what he does in the business, we don’t have a clue. For all we know he might work the weekend night shift at the counter selling cigs and beer. What makes him an expert? Since you expect us to rely on his word, tell us why we should.
BUT I CONGRATULATE THE VALERO DISINFO CAMPAIGN ON ITS OVERTIME EFFORTS (WHICH GOT TO HIM, BUT WON’T GET TO ME).
Again, do you have ANY evidence that flashpoint.com had any contact with VLO. You claim they have a “disinformation campaign”, where is your evidence to support that claim. Maybe he/they went out and did their own DD and realized nothing you have said on this topic has had ANY substantiation.
I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND HAVE REPORTED THE FACTS. DO YOU WORK FOR VALERO? WHY IS VALERO ALLOWING ITS “GOOD” NAME TO BE USED TO SHIELD CITGO?
Really, what research. Calling one friend who is mopping up spilled slurpies? That is reasearch. And what FACTS have you reported? Basically NONE. And what FACTS do you have that VLO has had any contact with Citgo much less some agreement to shield Citgo? NONE
BTW, before you ask me. I don’t work for Citgo or VLO and never have. I have no current direct or indirect financial interest or ties to either of them other than a small stock holding in VLO. But in the years past both have attempted to hire me. There, is that full enough disclosure for you? Are you willing to do the same?

fore on December 9, 2006 at 3:14 pm

MY GOD are you so stupid that you won’t listen to actual fact? Is your head so far up Bush’s butt that you can’t hear that you are WRONG? Citgo and Valero have NOTHING to do with each other! Period, end of story. You are just a complete IDIOT!

tjp on December 10, 2006 at 9:19 pm

new link will be posted on my website to your page stating “CLICK HERE FOR THE CUNT’S PAGE”

tjp on December 10, 2006 at 9:22 pm

Ms. Schlussel,
I’m new to your site, but am fairly impressed with your credentials. However, I do wish to question you on your sources for the Valero-Citgo information you present here.
The article you cite, stating that Susser Petroleum will be branded by Valero rather than Citgo, references the 11 year contract signed by Susser Holdings and Valero in August 2005 for Valero to provide fuel to Susser Petroleum rather than Citgo. Branding a convenience store chain is not the same as licensing a name: branding means that a certain brand will provide a product, not that the name of one brand will be used when selling another’s product. From all appearances the gas itself will be coming from a different source, and it states specifically in the article you referenced that Citgo is halting distribution in Susser’s region.
In reading your comments on this particular subject, you mention numerous times that you have done research on the subject to support your position and that there are other sources of information available, but I don’t see any other articles or references mentioned. Would you please provide the articles or references that support your position?
I have no connecton to any oil company or the oil industry, but I’ve been an analyst in other fields for years – and have learned that one can never accept information from a single source. All information must be vetted and corroborated, which is why I think its important that your sources and references be available for independent verification.
Thank you.
IT’S TRUE. MANY CITGO STATIONS ACROSS AMERICA HAVE NOW CHANGED TO VALERO STATIONS. THEY ARE STILL CITGO, BUT ARE USING THE LICENSED NAME OF VALERO. IT’S NOT JUST “BRANDING,” AS THE WHOLE STATIONS ARE CHANGED TO VALERO, WITHOUT A SIGN OF CITGO.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL

ComicTragedy on January 1, 2007 at 12:58 pm

IT’S TRUE. MANY CITGO STATIONS ACROSS AMERICA HAVE NOW CHANGED TO VALERO STATIONS. THEY ARE STILL CITGO, BUT ARE USING THE LICENSED NAME OF VALERO. IT’S NOT JUST “BRANDING,” AS THE WHOLE STATIONS ARE CHANGED TO VALERO, WITHOUT A SIGN OF CITGO.
DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL
What reports/articles are you referencing that state the locations are still Citgo, though using the Valero name? I’ve done my own digging into this, and found the opposite information, as have others here, apparently. If you’re using information that we don’t have as a basis for your statements, please let us know about it and where to find it so we can doublecheck it ourselves.
Thanks.

ComicTragedy on January 1, 2007 at 9:48 pm

Wow way off base saying Valero=Citgo because stations rebranded. Re-branding is what happens when a station owner (most gas station owners are not Oil companies by the way) LICENSES the oil company brand of a new supplier obtaining a 5-10 year supply agreement along with the license to display their logo.
Re-branding of a 7-11 owned store for example is actually a LOSS of revenue to Citgo/PDVSA and a gain to Valero… Now the upstream side of things may be different, but Velero buys far less Venezuelan crude than Citgo. Valero does purchase SOME of it’s oil from Venezuela, but then so does ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron. ConocoPhillips being the largest US-based non-Citgo purchasers of Venezuelan crude out of this group.
I would suggest posting a retraction or run the risk of being sued by Valero, aside from the obvious risk of losing your audience due to ignoring the facts in this case.
If you’re point is that Citgo company-owned stations are re-branding as Valero, that’s a different story, but I seriously doubt you’ll back that up with ANY facts (i.e. name ONE store owned by Citgo that has). Valero would have no upside and only downside to cut a deal like that with Citgo.

paul on February 6, 2007 at 3:28 pm

I’ve been following this site for a while. Like many Americans I don’t particularly care to financially support openly anti-American countries. I understand that the issue of where the fuel I purchase at the pump actually originates is very complicated. If nothing else, following this blog has made this very clear to me, and I thank all of you. I originally began researching this subject before cancelling my Valero card. Now I’m not so sure. So it seems you more informed folks are not ever going to agree. As it stands I don’t think Debbie S. has provided any verifiable sources for her claims… despite multiple requests. Be that as it may, I have a question for anyone caring to respond: Is there ANYWHERE I can purchase fuel where I can be assured that the sources do not originate from anti-American countries? And if not, then who would you suggest as a retailer whose source contains the smallest percentage of crude from anti-American sources?

drbob on April 24, 2007 at 12:02 am

I have tried to find gas stations that do not buy from “anti-american” oil companies. Unfortunately I have not found any (that doesn’t mean they don’t exist). However I have found a site you might want to check out.
http://www.businessweek.com/debateroom/archives/2007/03/filling_up_with.html
It talks about the pros and cons of the terror free oil initiative. Apparently the first terror free gas station recently opened up in Omaha. Just in case you don’t live anywhere near Omaha (like most of us) finding the best option is tough. One argument I’ve heard says to pick the gas station that does the most good with their profits. According to some, CITGO provides cheap oil in some of the poor parts of America as well as other countries, and they also have used their money to build vital infrastructure in their own country. Whether this is true, I’m not prepared to say since I’m getting this from another source.
It seems to me that we should buy gas from the company that does the most good with it’s profits, but to be honest, in the end, it probably doesn’t matter. Unlike with other goods and services in our ecomony, we don’t really hold a lot of buying power where gasoline is concerned. We’re going to need to fill up the tank sooner or later, whether that crude comes from Ven. or Saudi makes no difference to the tank. It’s not like we have another alternative to choose from (If there is another alternative someone please let me know). So boycotting one station or another will not have much of an effect.
One last thought, since Valero is an American based company, it’s not a bad idea to stick with them either. With all the outsourcing going on these days we should reward the companies that stay here, even if they do get some of their oil from Venz.
Oh, and to Ms. Schlussel – Even if it was true that CITGO is simply changing their name to Valero to escape the heat they’ve been taking…..so what? CITGO gets oil from Venz. and Valero gets some of their oil from Venz. I could see the logic behind what your claiming if Valero did NOT get some of their oil from Venezuela as well, but they do, so please tell me how this would solve CITGO’s problem? Why should it make a difference to us? The oil in the gas is coming from the same place. Like I said before, in the end it doesn’t really matter anyway.
If I have made any “mis-statements” please let me know. I am fairly new to this subject but have been doing a lot of research on it. Though that research has been done on the web, and the web isn’t exactly the most reliable resource.

kimb79 on April 27, 2007 at 12:35 am

Obviously beating a dead horse but here goes:
Deb, I guess you finally see how dead wrong you were but are still not human enough to admit it because it’s been almost 6 months since your last empty denial. Even in your “factual” claims that Citgo=Valero, you come off as a wanna-be Erin Brokovich. Eventhough we can see in your photo that you’re way past your prime. You remind me of a woman I know, Greta…she’s a 60yo washed up ex-party girl with a body that’s withering due to it’s rough past. Referring to your arms in your photo: can you even lift a toothbrush?

billysantacruz on June 19, 2007 at 7:01 pm

Even though I’ve still not bought fuel from Valero, I’m disappointed in myself for NOT doing my own research before avoiding Valero stations. I had also heard that Valero was a Venezuela owned / supplied station. The difference is that in the Los Angeles area a large handful of ARCO’s, who have been inexpensive fuel were purchased / turned into Valero stations. The Citgo stations are far and few between in my area. I really wish I could find a list that shows the percentage of where companies obtain their oil.

TheLast929 on November 17, 2007 at 3:58 am

I have made the mistake of buying their diesel, since my truck holds 110 gal its a pretty big price at the pump. Feb.16,2009 my truck died and had to have it towed in at a cost of $250.00 and a repair bill of $2,634.82. I have contacted them and got the run around that the station I bought the diesel from was an independent company called Rand Oil. I am waitting for them to contact me. My guess is that I will be left holding the bag. Their diesel caused my injeter pump to come a part.
If any of you know anyone that has a diesel please tell them to buy else where. I am buyo
ing from Fuelman same place the tow company buys theirs from. Yep its does coest a bit more but I am not going to left on the side of the road again because of Valero’s diesel either. Or have a large repair bill and towing charge.

Snuffy on February 27, 2009 at 3:58 pm

Debbie,
I really don’t want to support Valero if they are connected to Chavez, however, I still haven’t seen any support of your conclusions. I don’t doubt that you’ve done research, and that you have probably spent a lot of hours putting the information together. If you could just cite a couple of sources, that would help me to understand the connections better.

You mentioned your friends in Detroit, and I have no doubt they are privy to insider information. However, I have been looking and haven’t found anything conclusive. I guess I am one of those annoying people who need to have the facts in front of me before I make a decision.

I’m not attacking you, I just want to be able to cite more than one source when trying to convince my family and friends to boycott.

Thank you!

Mel on September 30, 2009 at 7:55 pm

All one has to do is ask “Where does Valero buy it’s crude from?” Valero has refineries that convert HEAVY CRUDE into gasoline. Venezuela has HEAVY CRUDE. It’s Valero’s responsibility to clear the matter up (or not). Silence = Guilt.
Also, the Saudis are neutral to me, Venezuela is against the West. Boycott Valero and Citgo. Follow the money.

Steve Robbins on October 30, 2009 at 5:29 am

I think it’s ironic that oil company executives are so red-white-and blue, yet support leftist regimes. Do we have to regulate them ALSO?

Steve Robbins on October 30, 2009 at 5:46 am

From the Dept of Energy for August ’09 Imports of Venezuelan crude oil:

Citgo 8179

Conoco/Phillips 5488

Valero 3529

Don’t know what the definition of the units are.

Steve Robbins on October 30, 2009 at 6:31 am

Hmm.. So you advocate boycotting Venezuelan gas so as not to support the nation community of Venezuela, with it’s democratic government, supporting it’s schools, hospitals, infrastructure…

rather you choose to support the strict Islamic regime with their Royls Royces, indoor ski mountains and Al Queda…..

Hmmm…. Follow the money is exactly right.
this is a continuation of your idiotic cold war notions.
More wealth to those in the right positions (it will trickle down, right?) Public school children don’t need music or sports and if they can’t afford medicine they don’t deserve it.
Viva Socialismo, bitches!

Kellen Linnell on December 20, 2009 at 11:04 pm

I make a point to boycott Shell and Exxon.

Only fill up at Citgo or Valero.

Peace, Love, Evolution

Kellen Linnell on December 20, 2009 at 11:06 pm

Here’s a better reason to boycott the bastards: Today I stopped at a Valero station here in Irving, TX to buy $5 (five dollars US) worth of gas using my mothers Walmart card. Valero decided to take $75 seventy five dollars from her account for up to 5 days to make sure the $5 charge clears and they KNOW it cleared because Walmart called and notified them it cleared and the bastards still wont release the money. As a result we will go without food until the 1st, only a day or two away, but this simply didn’t have to happen. Her Valero card is now sitting in a trash can in about 40 pieces.

M Amell on December 31, 2009 at 1:08 am

Who cares. US Crude Oil consumption was 5,392,511 in Thousands of Barrels for 2008 per these two sites:

33% – US Domestic Production was 1,811,817 thousands of barrels:
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_crd_crpdn_adc_mbbl_a.htm

66% – US Imports was 3,580,694 thousands of barrels:
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_impcus_a2_nus_epc0_im0_mbbl_a.htm

The biggest importers were Canada, Saudi Arabia, Mexico then Venezuela.

Stephen Reed on January 11, 2010 at 2:10 am

Wow, you are really ridiculous. You have no facts or anything, so you just keep copying & pasting the same stuff over & over again. You’re a broken record, trying to prove a point that can not be proven. You’ll have to show me links, & actual sources where you got this information, before I’ll believe a word that comes out of your mouth. You’re no better than ALEX JONES

Muchclownlove on January 15, 2010 at 4:21 pm

I SEE ANSWERS ALL OVER THE DAMNED PLACE—WHAT IS TRUE? IS VALERO SERVICE STATIONS OWNED BY HUGH CHAVEZ? CITGO AND VALERO ONE AND THE SAME, RIGHT?

FRED PIERCE on January 21, 2010 at 6:22 pm

I’d far rather support Hugo than Chevron and Exxon. They are far more disrespectful of human rights than he can ever be.

Anti Imperialist on February 25, 2010 at 3:42 am

THE “ANTI IMPERIALIST” WRITER ABOVE IS A NITWIT. I’M NOT CRAZY ABOUT CHEVERON AND EXXONMOBIL, BUT COMPARING THEM TO HUGO CHEVEZ AND CHOOSING CHEVEZ CAN ONLY SHOW HOW STUPID SOME PEOPLE ARE. THATS LIKE SAYING, “I PREFER THE KGB OVER THE CIA”. THIS PERSON NEEDS TO EXTRACT HIS OR HER HEAD OUT OF “WHERE THE SUN DOES NOT SHINE”.

FRED PIERCE on March 29, 2010 at 1:22 pm

Debbie,
That is the loosest coupling of facts I’ve seen. Citgo says it will stop selling gas in a certain area, and Valero jumps in to capture market share. To you that is “…LENDING THEIR NAME (FOR PROFIT) IN A LICENSING DEAL TO CONCEAL CITGO STATIONS’ REAL IDENTITY”. That is flat out wrong!
Valero is a U.S. company that imports venezuelan oil because several of thier refineries are configured to refine this type of oil. All the oil companies import from Venezuela. If you knew how the industry works, you would know that most all refiners pump to the same distribution outlets. At that point, Chevron, Texaco and all the others add their “special ingredients” to make it their brand of gasoline.
So get the facts right, and buy gas where you want to.

I find it sad that your page is so highly ranked in search results, when you misrepresent an article that you link to.

Dean on June 14, 2010 at 1:44 pm

Everybody’s wrong. Refiners buy crude stock from whomever sells it at the best price. The really funny part is how the Valero spin machine went into overdrive on this article which, in turn, generated the kind of traffic (links, emails, comments, etc.) that drove it up in google results. I doubt their target audience will make it past the third paragraph, and at that point the association is pretty much cemented.

BlueDrank on July 2, 2010 at 9:35 am

This lady Debbie Schlussell clearly has no business in Journalism. I am a Ph.D holding Editor, and if one of my staff writers came to me with this Valero = Citgo claim, I would fire them on site, and do eveything in my considerable influence to make sure they never worked in journalism again. Debbie, you are a disgrace to a system that has spent the last 200 years earning the trust of Americans. If you spent more time investigating the truth and less time trying to cover your own ass you might have a clue what you’re talking about. As for Valero, a competitor of Citgo, they replaced Citgo, as in outbid, shutout, out manuvered. Valero = Citgo Enemy = American Owned Business. And my sources aren’t “CHRISTIAN ARABS I KNOW WHO OWN GAS STATIONS IN THE DETROIT AREA”, like this crackpot, it’s the FCC and my stock broker. Both of whom confirm Valero is a publicly traded company. So go buy a piece. Then you can own Valero. In fact, if you buy even one share, you’ll own more of Valero than Chavez, who’s government doesn’t own even a single share of Valero Energy Corporation.

Makay Smith on July 25, 2010 at 5:14 pm

Debbie Schussel has been listed by Civil Rights groups in hate crimes reports and is considered to spead misinformation by Media Matters, a Media Watchdog Group. Misinformation…Hate Crime…are we sure this isn’t a Nazi propaganda webpage. Oh, and as for her “Arab” friends, I doubt she has any since she is considered the worst anti-Arab, anti-Islam hate columnist in the country acording to the Arab anti-discrimination groups.

Makay Smith on July 25, 2010 at 5:23 pm

Cut away all the noise. CITGO is a U.S. incorporated arm of the Venezuelan oil company. Venezuela is ruled by Hugo Chavez, a Communist, and buddy of Fidel Castro and other leftist countries in S America. It doesn’t take the US govt to sanction a country…you can do it yourself. Don’t buy gas from Valero because your dollars flow to Hugo Chavez.

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Brick Mark on April 4, 2011 at 8:25 am

I really don’t see the difference between commoner-hating American gas companies, America-hating Venezuelan gas companies, and I-hate-everyone Middle Eastern gas companies.

I just don’t give a damn! Wherever gas is cheapest for me (And the station doesn’t pump less gas than it takes money.), I’m buying.

Sammi on May 7, 2011 at 12:50 am