<P> The United States petroleum refining industry, the world's largest, is most heavily concentrated along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana . In 2012, US refiners produced 18.5 million barrels per day of refined petroleum products . Of this amount, 15 percent was exported . As of 2012 the US was the world's second largest net exporter of refined petroleum products . </P> <P> Refined petroleum products destined for retail consumption is transferred to bulk terminals by pipeline, barge, or rail . From the bulk terminal, the product is usually trucked to the retail outlets . </P> <P> As of February 2014, there were 153,000 service stations selling motor fuel in the US, including garages, truck stops, convenience stores, and marinas . Although many stations carry the brands of major integrated oil companies, only 2% of US stations are owned by major oil companies; most stations labeled with major brands are operated under franchise agreements . A total of 58% of the service stations are single - store operations run by an individual or family . </P> <P> Although some oil was produced commercially before 1859 as a byproduct from salt brine wells, the American oil industry started on a major scale with the discovery of oil at the Drake Well in western Pennsylvania in 1859 . </P>

Where does the united states get their oil