Wholesale Fuel Distribution

Wholesale fuel distribution is the step between the terminals where fuel is stored and the tanks under a gas station. This page describes how that step generally works, so you know what you are comparing when you ask a supplier about supply. It describes the industry in general terms; it does not state RJB Energy’s own prices, terms or schedules.

How the chain generally works

Gasoline and diesel are produced at refineries and moved by pipeline, barge or truck to storage terminals. A wholesale distributor buys fuel, arranges transport and delivers it by tanker truck to retail stations, where it is pumped into underground storage tanks. The station then sells it at the pump.

A distributor does more than carry fuel. In general it handles ordering, scheduling deliveries around how fast a station sells fuel, invoicing and keeping track of what each site has received. What a particular supplier provides differs from one company to the next, which is why the questions below matter.

What to compare between suppliers

• Which products are supplied: regular, plus, super and diesel, and whether blends or additive programs are involved.
• How deliveries are arranged, and who decides when a station needs fuel.
• How the price is set and how often it changes, including whether it follows a published reference.
• Payment terms, deposits or credit requirements.
• Whether a brand or image program is required.
• How long an agreement runs and how it can end.
• What happens when supply is short or a delivery is missed.

None of these are answered on this site, and you should expect to ask them of any supplier. The guide to questions for a fuel supplier turns them into a longer checklist.

Common questions

Ready to ask

If you operate a New Jersey gas station and want to talk about supply, use the request form. You can also read about gas station supply and the fuel products.