The planned closure of Sunoco's Philadelphia refinery, which accounts for a quarter of the U.S. East Coast's capacity, looks set to constrain supplies of diesel, heating oil and perhaps gasoline, while pushing prices higher.
The projected shutdown, due to take effect in July if no buyer is found, was highlighted by the Energy Information Administration in a Feb. 27 report saying petroleum product markets in the Northeast could be "significantly impacted" if the closure goes ahead.
The agency said it will be hardest to find alternative supplies of ultra-low sulfur diesel.
