Determining fuel prices

Consumers worldwide have watched the cost of petroleum (motor fuels) continue to fluctuate throughout the
year. This raises the question, "Why do petrol prices rise and fall?"
In the long term, the greatest single factor influencing petroleum prices is the cost of crude oil. However,
marketplace forces of supply, demand and competition can have a significant effect on the price of petroleum in
the short term.

The Cost of Crude

Crude oil prices have risen dramatically over the last few years, driven by strong global demand, limited spare oil
production capacity, and continuing political instability in certain oil producing regions.
Since the price of crude oil has the most significant long-term impact on the average price of petroleum,
contributing to almost 50 percent of the retail price, it is not surprising to see average petroleum prices
significantly higher as well.

Increase in International Energy Demand

Surging crude oil demand is being fueled by strong economic growth, particularly in non-OECD nations. The U.S.
Energy Information Administration projects that total world consumption of marketed energy is expected to
increase by 44 percent from 2006 to 2030. Reduced spare oil production capacity leaves very little room to
compensate for unanticipated supply disruptions or spikes in demand. The tenuous balance between supply and
demand is even more of a concern when you consider that most of the world's oil is located in some of the more
politically unstable parts of the world. As such, supply disruptions, whether real or perceived, can have dramatic
effects on the price of crude oil.
Global economic expansion is driving what the U.S. International Energy Agency (IEA) says is the biggest
increase in oil demand in 24 years. In particular, energy consumption in the emerging economies of non-OECD
countries is expected to increase by 73 percent between 2006 and 2030. The driver behind the fast-paced growth
in energy demand in these countries is strong long-term GDP growth.

Oil Supply Uncertainty is Placing Pressure on Price

Crude oil is refined to produce petrol and diesel and the cost of crude oil is traditionally the greatest single factor
affecting fuel prices over time. However, with the shortage of refineries to refine the crude, we are in a unique
situation where the price difference between crude oil and refined product can be large.
Supply remains volatile. A number of other factors also increase uncertainty of supply and with rising demand,
this is placing tremendous pressure on pricing. Political volatility in oil producing regions has historically impacted
on crude oil prices and the political situation in the Middle East is of global concern.

Taxation
Taxes takes up a significant component of the price in a litre of fuel, but it varies from product to product, and
country to country. Tax rates can be as high as almost half the cost of fuel in countries that Caltex operates in.
Country
Cambodia
Hong Kong
New Zealand
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand

Tax % of pump price for a litre of petrol

35%
47%
44%
22%
32%
46%

Tax % of pump price for a litre of diesel

22%
0%
12%
11%
7%
33%

Other Factors That Influence Petroleum Prices

Although the cost of crude oil has the most impact on average petroleum prices in the long term, local market
conditions, which include the forces of supply, demand, competition, and government regulation, can also have a

significant impact on petroleum prices, and explain some of the variations in petroleum prices across different
markets.
In any market situation, supply and demand imbalances can affect prices in the short term. Supply shortages
typically cause upward price pressure, and can result from an unplanned refinery outage, pipeline problems, or
an unforeseen increase in demand. Conversely, length of supply, where supply exceeds demand, can result in
downward price pressure.
Other factors affecting pricing include foreign exchange, geographic location and local competition.
Competition, reflected by the number of choices in the market place, can also affect pricing. Almost everyone has
experienced the difference in petroleum prices between a lone station on a lengthy interstate and in town, where
many intersections may have two or three service stations to choose from.
Generally, price adjustments in the market affect short-term supply-demand imbalances and bring supply and
demand back into balance. Whether in a situation of supply tightness or length, price will eventually bring the
supply-demand balance into equilibrium by attracting additional supply or influencing demand.

The Future
No one can say with certainty what will happen in the future with crude oil and petroleum prices. Caltex, as a
Chevron brand, supports a comprehensive national energy policy that would address both conservation
(reducing demand) and increasing the supply of crude oil and refined products. This includes streamlined
permitting for petroleum infrastructure, as well as increasing domestic crude oil production in an environmentally
responsible manner. Caltex is committed to taking all appropriate steps to supply our customers reliably and
safely with the motor fuel products they want.
Prices for petrol are determined by global supply and demand and the market decides the price. Caltex will
continue to monitor the situation closely and will adjust the prices accordingly in the direction of the market.
Caltex is aware of customers' concerns on price sensitivity and we will always strive to price products
competitively.