West Coast gasoline imports hit five-year high after refineries went dark: CAS
Nearly a year after Phillips 66 permanently shut its 139,000 b/d Wilmington, California refinery, the US West Coast fuel market has undergone a structural shift in its import sourcing and export patterns, with gasoline imports reaching their highest level in at least five years and the supplier base expanding to 15 countries as the region ...
The US West Coast gasoline market experienced a significant structural shift in 2026 after the closure of two major refineries in California, according to a report by CAS. Refinery capacity in California was reduced by 284,000 barrels per day within months, prompting a surge in imported gasoline to replace lost domestic refining capacity.
Total refined product imports to the US West Coast reached 61.1 million barrels between January and October 2026, with gasoline imports surging to 19.07 million barrels, a 54.5% increase from 2025 levels and the highest in five years. India emerged as a major supplier, importing 3.83 million barrels in 2026, while Canada and South Korea remained the top suppliers at 3.88 and 4.59 million barrels, respectively.
Gasoline exports from the US West Coast contracted sharply, with Mexico accounting for 65% of shipments, totaling 3.10 million barrels. The supplier base expanded to 15 countries, including notable contributions from the Netherlands and Europe. Finished gasoline imports also increased, indicating a reliance on domestic blending components or other blendstocks in later months after the refinery closures.
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