restructuring the changing face of motor gasoline marketing introduction recent increase in petroleum industry mergers and acquisitions implementation environmental regulations during late 1990 s coupled with product price volatility have prompted recurring federal state regulatory scrutiny refining company operations years a number energy information administration eia studies examined various questions related to examples include impact compliance costs on us profitability financial performance low however these efforts concentrated or prices sales volumes data that collects less attention given through retail outlets may be most publicly prominent activity majors note 1 part this because is widely consumed households accounting for more than 40 percent products demanded 1999 2 additionally 3 make an effort create brand recognition their 4