US refiners have operated at higher-than-normal rates in 2026 as tight global supplies of refined fuels, particularly diesel, have boosted profit margins, Reuters reported on October 22, citing data by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Refinery capacity utilization averaged more than 95% from May to September, the highest level for those months since 1998, the EIA’s data showed.

Refinery utilization measures the share of a refinery’s operable capacity being used to process crude oil and other feedstocks. High utilization can help refiners meet strong fuel demand, but output is also constrained by available refining capacity and maintenance requirements.

Strong demand for US diesel exports amid tight global supplies of diesel and other fuels has driven higher refinery output, according to the agency.

Diesel prices have reached record highs amid a global shortage linked to the Iran war and Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries. The administration of US President Donald Trump has urged refiners to produce more diesel as prices rise.

Since 1991, refinery utilization has averaged 92% from May to September, compared with 88% during the other seven months of the year.