April 28, 2008

(America) - These things come to me in emails all the time. Most of it is old or just plain heaps of "Bullesgeschichte." But having been a gas-jockey once upon a time for my dad, I recognized the truth of much of it. So I researched the other things I wasn't sure of. Within a few percentage points, it's all mostly true, so take it for what it's worth. But, at least, please read it, and start thinking about it. You know my answer - electric cars, and we have the technology right now. If we really are in a war, why hasn't the President declared a national emergency and made it possible for us all to convert? Oh well.. Here's the article. Its authorship is unknown.

"I don't know what you guys are paying for gasoline.... but here in California we are also paying higher, up to $3.50 per gallon. But my line of work is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here are some tricks to get more of your money's worth for every gallon.

"Here at the Kinder Morgan Pipeline where I work in San Jose, CA, we deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period thru the pipeline. One day is diesel the next day is jet fuel, and gasoline, regular and premium grades. We have 34-storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons.

"Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role. A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. Service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.

"When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low, middle, and high. In slow mode you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some other liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.

"One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL (or HALF EMPTY). The reason for this is, the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.

"Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT FILL UP -- most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom. Hope this will help you get the most value for your money.

"WHERE TO BUY USA-FRIENDLY GAS:

"The Saudis are boycotting American goods. If you want to you can return the favor. An interesting thought is to boycott their GAS. Every time you fill up the car, you can avoid putting more money into the coffers of Saudi Arabia. Just buy from gas companies that don't import their oil from the Saudis and their "Cabal of Hypocrites."

"These companies import Middle Eastern oil:
• Shell........................... 205,742,000 barrels
• Chevron/Texaco......... 144,332,000 barrels
• Exxon /Mobil............... 130,082,000 barrels
• Marathon/Speedway... 117,740,000 barrels
• Amoco............................62,231,000 barrels

"Citgo gas is from South America, from a Dictator who hates Americans. If you do the math at $30/barrel, these imports amount to over $18 BILLION! (oil is now $110+ a barrel)

"Here are some large companies that do not import Middle Eastern oil:
• Sunoco...................0 barrels
• Conoco...................0 barrels
• Sinclair.................0 barrels
• BP/Phillips............0 barrels
• Hess.......................0 barrels
• ARCO....................0 barrels

Interesting, yes? Oh, in case you were wondering, Valeros are "excess jobbers." They buy from whomever will accept their price and has excess gas in their tanker truck. Stu Spinx buys and trucks his own gas, is a true-blue American, and gets the cheapest price on the market. So, in their own ways, those two are sticking it to the market while trying to stay in business.

That's it. I think I'm gonna go out and top off my tank at a BP or Hess station. I always did like the Brits and Krauts.

- Dick Anderson