SOURCE: Phillips 66
April 28, 2025
BY Erin Voegele
Phillips 66 released first quarter financial results on April 25, reporting reduced pre-tax earnings for its renewable fuels segment despite increased production volumes. The decrease is primarily attributed to the changing tax credit structure and other market factors.
The company currently produces renewable fuels at its Rodeo Renewable Energy Complex, a biorefinery project that commenced development in mid-2022 and reached full processing rates during the second quarter of 2024. The facility began producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in September 2024.
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According to Phillips 66, its renewable fuels segment produced 44,000 barrels per day of renewable fuels during the first quarter, up slightly from 42,000 barrels per day produced during fourth quarter of last year, and up significantly when compared to the 9,000 barrels per day produced during the first quarter of 2024.
Total renewable fuel sales for the first quarter reached 63,000 barrels per day up from 34,000 barrels per day during the same period of last year.
The segment reported a $185 million loss for the first quarter, compared to $28 million in earnings reported for the proceeding quarter. Adjusted EBITDA loss was $162 million, a $212 million decline when compared to the $50 million in adjusted EBITDA reported for the fourth quarter of 2024
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The company said the pre-tax results for renewable fuels decreased primarily due to the transition from the blenders tax credits to production tax credits, inventory impacts and lower international results.
During a first quarter earnings call, Brian Mandell, executive vice president of marketing and commercial at Phillips 66, explained that outstanding policy issues make it difficult to be able to provide second quarter guidance on the renewable fuels segment. Those issues include tariffs, the upcoming Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations (RVOs) and implementation of the 45Z clean fuels production credit. The proposed RFS RVOs for 2026 are currently expected to be released in May, he said, noting Phillips 66 also expects additional guidance on the 45Z credit to be available this summer.
The U.S. exported 15,050.4 metric tons of biodiesel and biodiesel blends of B30 or greater in March, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on May 6. Biodiesel imports were at 14,991.9 metric tons for the month.
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal on May 5 announced that a preliminary investigation launched earlier this year did not find evidence that imports of U.S. renewable diesel are causing harm to Canada’s domestic renewable diesel industry.
Marathon Petroleum Corp. on May 6 reported improved first quarter EBITDA for its renewable diesel segment on increased utilization of its facilities, particularly the Martinez biorefinery in California, and higher margins.
According to a new economic contribution study released by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association on May 6, Iowa biofuels production has begun to reflect stagnant corn demand throughout the agriculture economy.
SAF production is growing in the U.S. as new capacity comes online. U.S. production of “other biofuels,” the category the U.S. EIA uses to capture SAF data in its reports, approximately doubled from December 2024 to February 2025.