Oil companies act to save refining margins London, Jan. 27（ Reuler - major oil companies flexed their muscles to salvage profit margins from oil refining this week, supporting oil product prices and depressing crude oil. By limiting the amount of crude oil running through their refineries, oil companies are hoping to eat away at burgeoning（迅速增长的）stocks of unused heating fuel and at the same time boost demand and prices for crude oil. A broker in London said that throughout reduction at European refineries was ultimately a bearish signal for al] oil prices, products and crude. “There may well be less output from refineries, but if demand is weak, that’s still bearish for prices,” he said. Brokers cited tumbling gasoline prices in New York as another negative influence. Traders on New York’s futures trading pits sold gasoline futures heavily on news that New Jerseymay not enforce the use of a new cleaner grade of gasoline in its sales at the pump. State officials in New Jersey argued that they have almost attained their pollution targets and areunwilling to enforce expensive winter regulations controlling fuel quality. “We feel we’ve done a lot to improve our air quality, if we’re not in attainment, we’re veryclose,” said Amy Collings of the New Jersey department of environment protection. Traders said that if New Jersey does not enforce clean gasoline regulations, demand for thegrade will fall.
21. To stimulate demand and prices for crude oil,oil companies try to reduce the amount of crude oil at their refineries and the stocks of unused heating fuel.
22. A bearish signal usually means price decreasing in the market.
23. The state officials are unwilling to control fuel quality because they don't have money.
24. The tumbling gasoline prices in New York have no affect on the oil prices in London.
25. Enfocing clean gasoline regulations will further improve the air quality in New Jersey