Why Tesoro Can Strike It Rich Without Lifting the Crude Oil Export Ban

This article was originally published by TheStreet on November 9, 2014

By Sarfaraz A. Khan. Research Asst. Omar E.

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Oil companies are edging closer to seeing the 40-year-old ban lifted on crude oil exports. But whether Congress caves in or Obama gives his OK, Tesoro (TSO) , the biggest refiner in the Western United States, is set to fire on all financial cylinders. 

Oil Price War Is a Gift to Investors in Valero and Other Refiners

This article was originally published by TheStreet on November 4, 2014

By Sarfaraz A. Khan. Research Asst: Brian S.

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Deteriorating oil prices threaten the profits of oil producers but, as Valero Energy (VLO)  showed with its third-quarter earnings Tuesday, they can be a boon for refiners.

Oil prices extended their decline on Tuesday, slipping to new multi-year lows on fears that Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest exporter of oil and other related liquids, could be gearing up to compete with U.S. shale oil. West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures are hovering around $77 a barrel, down from $80 a barrel when markets closed on Friday.