Is Marathon Petroleum Corporation a Buy?

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) functions as a prominent integrated energy enterprise, primarily concentrating its downstream operations across the United States. Its business is bifurcated into two main divisions: Refining & Marketing, and Midstream. The Refining & Marketing segment is responsible for processing crude oil and various other raw materials at its refineries, strategically located in the U.S. Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent, and West Coast regions. This division also acquires refined petroleum products and ethanol for subsequent distribution. Key outputs from this segment encompass a diverse array of transportation fuels, including different gasoline blends, heavy fuel oil, and asphalt. Additionally, it manufactures chemicals such as aromatics, propane, propylene, and sulfur. MPC sells these refined goods through multiple channels, including wholesale marketers domestically and globally, purchasers on the open spot market, and independent entrepreneurs who manage primarily Marathon-branded retail locations. It also supplies fuel via long-term agreements to direct dealer sites, predominantly under the ARCO brand. The Midstream segment handles the comprehensive movement, storage, distribution, and commercialization of crude oil and refined products. This is achieved through its extensive network of refining logistics assets, pipelines, terminals, towboats, and barges. Moreover, this segment engages in the collection, processing, and transportation of natural gas, alongside the gathering, transport, fractionation, storage, and marketing of natural gas liquids. By December 31, 2021, the corporation supported 7,159 branded jobber retail points, managed by independent entrepreneurs, spanning 37 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Mexico. Marathon Petroleum Corporation, established in 1887, maintains its corporate headquarters in Findlay, Ohio.