HOUSTON, Feb 18 (Reuters) - California gasoline jumped 4cents a gallon in the Los Angeles wholesale market on Tuesdayafter California refineries reported malfunctions over thePresidents Day weekend, traders said.
February-delivery CARBOB gasoline traded at 4 cents a gallonover March NYMEX RBOB gasoline in Los Angeles.
Phillips 66's refinery in Rodeo, California, wasback to normal operation on Tuesday after a malfunction over theweekend, a company spokesman said.
A Valero spokesman declined on Tuesday to discuss operationsat the company's 132,000 barrel per day (bpd) Benicia,California, refinery, which reported flaring over the weekend. The refinery has begun planned maintenance,traders said.
Exxon Mobil Corp said production at its 149,500 bpdTorrance, California, refinery was not affected by maintenancebeing done currently.
Royal Dutch Shell Plc restarted a unit last week atits 156,400 bpd Martinez, California, refinery.
February CARBOB also climbed in the San Francisco Bay marketto 5 cents a gallon over March NYMEX RBOB.
CARBOB gasoline is mandated by the California Air ResourcesBoard (CARB) for use in the state and meets more stringentanti-pollution standards than the gasoline required by the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency in most of the country. CARBOBis made to blend with ethanol.
EPA gasoline retreated in the Portland, Oregon, market by 3cents a gallon to 18 cents a gallon under March NYMEX RBOB.
February CARB diesel rose 1 cent to 1 cent a gallon underMarch NYMEX heating oil in Los Angeles.
Bay-market February CARB diesel was unchanged at a 7 centdiscount to March heating oil.
CARB also requires a state-specific, ultra-low-sulfur dieselwith a more stringent formula than EPA diesel.
EPA diesel in Portland remained at 8 cents a gallon underMarch NYMEX heating oil.
February L.A. jet fuel continued at 13 cents a gallon underMarch heating oil. (Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Peter Galloway)
