Fuel supplier for Randalls/Albertsons/Tom Thumb grocery stores in Texas??

camjr · August 20, 2021

I've not been able to find anything online despite multiple searches and phrasing. Does the group know who supplies diesel to this grocery chain in Texas (specifically, the DFW area)? I know that the chain has an agreement with Chevron/Texaco for rewards points to be used for discounts at their stations, but don't know if the agreement is reciprocated in terms of supplying the grocery store fuel stations. I'm interested because I can typically save $1 per gallon on diesel by fueling there due to the amount I spend in groceries.

I found an old post from nearly 10 years ago that it may have been Citgo back then, and others that it may be "local suppliers", but nothing in the last 5-10 years. Does anyone have any insight??

Grumpy Bear · August 20, 2021

Your not going to like the answer: https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/diesel-fuel/where-our-diesel-comes-from.php

camjr · August 20, 2021

8 minutes ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Your not going to like the answer: https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/diesel-fuel/where-our-diesel-comes-from.php

I figured it was a bid process for generic suppliers. Traffic is high enough at this station with lots of diesel pickups in this part of North Texas, so I'll keep using it along with fill-ups at QT and other high-volume pumps. The truck seems like both well enough, and diesel for $1.90/gal after my grocery shopping discount at the Tom Thumb station is not bad at all...

Edited August 20, 2021 by camjr

Grumpy Bear · August 20, 2021

Back in the day Chevron filled tanks at Chevron stations. Gulf at Gulf etc. It got complicated and expensive. Common carriers, bulk transfers supply what they call the "Rack" now and final additive packages are filled on request. Thing is diesel and gasoline are federally and chemically defined. The difference between one and two is the add package. Everybody these days eats from the same trough.

Yes there are exceptions. Pipelines and bulk storage tank fields still don't have 100% coverage and there are some small markets that are still supplied by a local refiner. Some so small no one hears of them Caribou Refining in Utah comes to mind. Hudson Oil in Kansas back in the day was a one trick pony. Sinclair in Wyoming. Most have heard of that one.

By the mid 70's you could see a Sinclair tanker filling tanks at Hudson, then down the street to Phillips 66 and finishing the wagon at an AMOCO.

I worked at the Chevron in El Paso for some years and the only way I was sure I was getting Chevron gas was to fill at the refinery pump (employees only)

RCF71 · August 20, 2021

Grumpy summed it up pretty well.

I’ll add that branded gasoline additives make more difference than diesel additives in my opinion. Diesel is more important to buy from high volume stations.

Transient · August 25, 2021

Who supplies the Navy Exchange gas stations? Even with my Albertson's/Von's fuel savings at a Chevron out going with the cheaper fuel at Arco/AmPm the Navy Exchange is still cheaper. With a 6.2, $4.11/gallon is an easier pill to swallow versus $4.65-$0.20.

RCF71 · August 25, 2021

I don’t know for a fact, but, unless they advertise “Top Tier” gasoline like Costco does, it’s most likely the lowest bidder for their supply contract. That would likely also mean it has a minimum spec additives package. Chevron used to have the best additives package (Techron), and may still I just haven’t researched it lately. Not that a min spec additives package isn‘t ok, but top tier packages will keep things cleaner longer. The gasoline portion less additives is all the same.

My background - former gasoline blender, optimization analyst, and trader. So I have a substantial amount of experience with gasoline/diesel/jet fuel (production, distribution, markets, etc).

Grumpy Bear · August 25, 2021

3 hours ago, RCF71 said:

My background - former gasoline blender, optimization analyst, and trader. So I have a substantial amount of experience with gasoline/diesel/jet fuel (production, distribution, markets, etc).

I worked upstream from you making the components you blended for decades and close the end working in R & D taking the field to the lab. Soooo....you're the bean counter that :crackup: (Kidding) There's another guy on here that is further up the pipe yet. Working the platforms in the Gulf.

PEA...the active ingredient in Techron is still quite effective if used in large enough doses. (Former Chevron) I worked a tank field long enough to know to buy high volume stations then dose your own anyway. (gasoline not diesel) Never worked that side of the yard. Just refined the raw components.

RCF71 · August 25, 2021

1 hour ago, Grumpy Bear said:

I worked upstream from you making the components you blended for decades and close the end working in R & D taking the field to the lab. Soooo....you're the bean counter that (Kidding)

No, I’m the guy figuring out how to squeeze every penny out a barrel of oil, not a bean counter.

Transient · August 29, 2021

I have a question I've been pondering for awhile, but thought I'd ask it here. With the new engine being DI, where the fuel always into the cylinder after the valve, as opposed to previous designs where the fuel sprayed before the valve, does Top Tier fuel really need to be used? The whole selling point on TV to the vegetal public was that the additives kept the valves clean. It's that even relevant now with direct injection engines?

RCF71 · August 29, 2021

5 hours ago, Transient said:

I have a question I've been pondering for awhile, but thought I'd ask it here. With the new engine being DI, where the fuel always into the cylinder after the valve, as opposed to previous designs where the fuel sprayed before the valve, does Top Tier fuel really need to be used? The whole selling point on TV to the vegetal public was that the additives kept the valves clean. It's that even relevant now with direct injection engines?

Yes, still makes a difference on fuel injectors, and indirectly on valves. Poor spray pattern affects combustion, and poor combustion causes more carbon buildup, etc.

Years ago (actually while I was in my Nomex coming from work as gasoline blender) I stopped in the GMC/Pontiac dealer to pickup my wife’s Grand Prix. I had dropped it off to get the fuel injectors cleaned. Service manager saw my company name on my Nomex and asked me if I would explain Gasoline (similar questions as here, whose gasoline is better, ...). Told him yes, if he would show me how they clean fuel injectors. Long story short, they had a small container they would pour about a quart of TECHRON in, then pressurize it with air, connect to fuel rail, pull fuel pump fuse, then start the car and let it run til empty on straight TECHRON. Thought that was a pretty good testament to TECHRON’s effectiveness on keeping fuel injectors clean. Since then, have mainly used top tier gasolines and have not had any more fuel injectors fouling issues.

Transient · August 30, 2021

16 hours ago, RCF71 said:

Yes, still makes a difference on fuel injectors, and indirectly on valves. Poor spray pattern affects combustion, and poor combustion causes more carbon buildup, etc.

Years ago (actually while I was in my Nomex coming from work as gasoline blender) I stopped in the GMC/Pontiac dealer to pickup my wife’s Grand Prix. I had dropped it off to get the fuel injectors cleaned. Service manager saw my company name on my Nomex and asked me if I would explain Gasoline (similar questions as here, whose gasoline is better, ...). Told him yes, if he would show me how they clean fuel injectors. Long story short, they had a small container they would pour about a quart of TECHRON in, then pressurize it with air, connect to fuel rail, pull fuel pump fuse, then start the car and let it run til empty on straight TECHRON. Thought that was a pretty good testament to TECHRON’s effectiveness on keeping fuel injectors clean. Since then, have mainly used top tier gasolines and have not had any more fuel injectors fouling issues.

Ok. Thanks.

walkyle · September 11, 2021

I can just review seeing conveyance trucks with conventional names in favor of them topping off the tanks for these stores. That doesn't mean it isn't Chevron fuel however. Presumably your smartest choice is to get the Albertson Employee or other while he's filling the tanks and ask him.

Edited September 11, 2021 by walkyle

KARNUT · September 11, 2021

I usually use Kroger’s fuel locally. We have a Kroger card. My wife’s car usually gets filled up after church at sams she has a card. Most of my vehicles are over 10 years old but one our trip car. Lately our local HEB has been cheaper my 20 year old Chevy truck gets fueled up there. I've never add any other additives, never had. Never had a problem. On trips I use truck stops, usually name brands. My wife’s car has only left town 3 times for trips. It’s an 11 Genesis. So far I’ve turned down 3 injection cleaning request. I don’t fall for gimmicks. I guess I’m lucky.