Learn More

RBOB Gasoline Futures

You might have noticed that the symbol for gasoline futures on NBR's graphics has changed in recent weeks. NBR made the switch after the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) replaced the unleaded gas contracts you're used to seeing with contracts for RBOB. But, just what is RBOB?

NBR's Quick Explanation of RBOB

RBOB stands for "reformulated gasoline blendstock for oxygen blending." It is the new benchmark gasoline contract on the New York Mercantile Exchange. NYMEX phased out trading in unleaded gasoline futures at the end of last year because that product contained the chemical MTBE, which is banned in many states for polluting groundwater. NYMEX replaced those unleaded gas contracts with ones
for the RBOB, an unfinished gasoline
product that does not contain MTBE.

External Links/Articles*

• Energy Information Agency (EIA)
  This links to the section of the U.S. EIA's website that offers information about gasoline formulations. It includes a formal definition of RBOB.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  This links to the section of the U.S. EPA's website that offers information about reformulated gasoline. It includes details about MTBE and ethanol additives.
• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
  This links to a 1999 reasearch report published by LLNL titled, "Sleuthing MTBE with Statistical Data."
• "Life without MTBE" (PDF Document)
  This December 2003 brief was written by Sandy Fielden of Logical Information Machines, a company that provides software for energy and commodity research.
• New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX)
  This links to the webpage NYMEX has devoted to discussion of "New York Harbor RBOB Gasoline."

*Clicking these external links will take you off the NBR web site on PBS.org. NBR has no affiliation with these sites.