Gramps (NSW) replied:

Ray,

I think you'll find we import around 20 to 30% of our petrol and diesel. Saw this on BP's site somewhere.

Regards

rolande replied:

Just to shift the topic slightly.

We do of course have enough LPG to supply our own needs and cut out the petrol imports, there-by helping most, but the governmet seem to be more interested in creating an ethanol industry which by all reports still has a negative energy value, (0.96 I think, uses more energy to produce than it provides), to keep a small group of lobbyists happy.

Use our own LPG in Australian built vehicles, create local jobs, improve the environment, improve the balance of payments, provide cheaper fuel.

Obviously too easy though.

Sorry to ramble

Rolande

Ray Bates replied:

So if we produce 70% to 80% of our own fuel and I beleieve that this could be increased, why are we paying world parity prices? when we could be independent?
I believe that it was Paul Cheeting that first introduced it, probably from pressure from thos gready oil companies but there is no reason why LPG prices should be so high or fluctuate the way they do.

Kiwi Kia replied:

Exxon (the worlds largest public owned oil company) made a profit of US$8.4 billion dollars IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS of this year.

Need we say any more ?

And why do governments give oil companies (and mining companies) such huge tax incentives to write off capital and development expenditure.

Austravel replied:

I though Australia imported all diesel.

Alan S (WA) replied:

Crude Oil produced in different parts of the world is all different. There is a range of different components in oil, Light & Heavy compounds. Diesel is made up of more Heavys than Petrol, and has more lights than say Tar.

Refiners use a mixture of different types to minimise wasteage and to produce the required qtys of final product. The Crude produced in Aust is genrally light crude and has a higher content of lights (and sells for a higher price), as a comparison Middle East crude is heavier (and sells cheaper).

Our imports are usually Heavier oils that is mixed in with our lighter oil to minimise wastage through excessive by products etc.

If we where to stop exporting and only use our own oil for fuel then we would probably pay a higher price due to wastage factors in production. i,e wrong amount of leftovers etc.

As previously said by someone it is a world market and the Oil co's will sell it where they will get the best price.

Also there is a supply chain in oil, there exploration co's, producers, transporters, refinerers, retailers. In some cases they some companies are all of these but there are some that only specialise in sections. The best way of ensuring better pricing is to promote competition between the sections and companies. For example keep the refinerers out of retail and let fair competition exist.

Alan

macca172 replied:

A number of years ago, I lived in Sale VIC. I was lucky enough to go to a presentation given by Esso-BHP and we were told by the presenter that Australia produces 80% of its crude requirements.
I believe that the days of Australia remaining within the parity pricing structure require and immediate review. This current fereal government needs to take a long hard look at this issue, as I am confident that the bowser prices will be without question, a major factor at the next general election.
I fail to understand why political and enviromental factors in other parts of the world, should effect Australia's bowser prices?
Remember when the hurricane hit New Orleans last year and fuel price went up and the excuse was the hurricane, well I heard a commentator on radio suggest that the US government wouldnt be footing the bill for the rebuild, it would be footed via the world motorists via Wall St. If you think about that, it does make some sense.

Macca

FZJ 80 replied:

Rolande,

Your not ranting, your correct. LPG is a very viable option and being local does help our balance of payments and employment base. Increase use of lpg cars,reduce pollutants and carcinegens in the air we breath. Plus buy aussie cars where possible,it's common sense. Seems the fed govt think everything should be made in china though.

Regards

Greg

Exploder replied:

So how dose the U.S public get it for 99cent’s AUS, which is a rip-off as far as they are concerned?

Truckster (Vic) replied:

Work it out.

China will pay ANY PRICE to get ANY AMOUNT of oil they can get their hands on.

Now, your a business, selling oil.. You can sell to aussie for $20 a barrel, or $77+ to Big Dik Suk in China..

What would you do?