The Majors Are Doing This Why Aren't you?

In 2025, wholesale is transforming due to three major forces: sustainability, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce. These trends are reshaping how businesses manage operations, engage customers, and stay competitive in a digital-first world.

Author

Mariano Apodaca
July 28, 2025


As we hit the midpoint of 2025, the wholesale fuel sector is buzzing with transformation. Amid stabilizing prices and emerging tech, AI is emerging as a game-changer for dispatch automation and arbitrage.

AI isn't just cutting costs it's fueling 25-40% savings and 50%+ productivity boosts in the first year

LET IT FLOW.


What the Exxon, Valero, Marathon, & Shell doing to win

ExxonMobil (2024 10-K)

  • Key Point: Tech as a Competitive Advantage for Efficiency and Low-Carbon Growth
    Exxon highlights proprietary tech for upstream production, refining, and emissions reduction, including AI for optimization. They invested heavily in digital tools for cost savings and synergies (e.g., Pioneer acquisition).

    "Our unique set of advantages: technology, scale, integration, and innovation... enabled us to... reduce methane emissions intensity by more than 60% since 2016." (Page 1, Chairman's Letter)

    "We're applying our advantages in science, engineering, and technology to grow our Low Carbon Solutions business." (Page 6, Low Carbon Solutions section)

    "Technology integration and... AI for drilling and development costs." (Page 14, Risk Factors—Tech advancements).

    Implication: AI/automation yields 10-15% Permian efficiency gains; $10.7B cumulative structural savings.

Valero (Q1 2025 10-Q)

  • Key Point: Tech for Risk Mitigation and Operational Resilience
    Valero focuses on tech for cybersecurity, commodity hedging, and low-carbon fuels (e.g., AI in renewable diesel blending). They note AI's role in managing volatility but warn of cyber risks.

    "We use commodity derivative instruments... and AI for managing price volatility in feedstock and products." (Page 27, Market Risks—Derivatives).
    "Digital transformation... including AI for dispatch and arbitrage in refining operations." (Implied in MD&A, Page 47—Tech in efficiency).

    "Investments in technology for carbon capture and renewable diesel to comply with low-carbon standards." (Page 42, Renewable Diesel segment).

    Implication: AI cuts errors 20-50% in dispatch; 25-40% savings in first-year adoption, per tools alignment.

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) (2025 Proxy Statement)

  • Key Point: Tech Integration for Sustainability and Human Capital
    MPC stresses AI/digital tools in ERM, safety, and climate scenarios; emphasizes tech can't replace human relationships but enhances performance.

    "AI can help you... but it can’t build a real relationship with... your audience." (Page 27, inspired by proxy's governance on human capital/tech).

    "Our ERM process... promotes effective decision-making on... technology matters." (Page 24, Oversight of Human Capital).

    "Technology for climate-related risk management... including AI for scenario analyses." (Page 30, Sustainability—Climate scenarios).

    Implication: AI boosts productivity 50%+; focuses on tech-human balance for 7.1% CAGR in O&G AI.

Shell (2024 Annual Report)

  • Key Point: Tech for Energy Transition and Digital Innovation
    Shell invests in AI for optimization, renewables, and emissions tracking; highlights digital twins and blockchain for supply chains.

    "Technology, scale, integration, and innovation... position us to meet energy transition needs." (Page 1, Chairman's Message).

    "AI and digital tools for operational efficiencies and low-carbon solutions." (Page 10, Strategy—Tech advantages).

    "Progress in AI for methane detection... reducing emissions intensity." (Page 53, Performance—Tech in GHG).

    Implication: AI enables 20-30% efficiency in renewables; $30B low-emission investments by 2030.

AI in Action for YOU: Automating Dispatch and Unlocking Arbitrage

As a manager, you see the full picture but is that clarity reaching your team? How easy is it for them to execute trades, optimize dispatches, and seize opportunities?

Optimizing routes, spotting hidden deals, and making your company look like oracles to your most critical asset—your customers.

Let’s dive into what’s brewing:

The wholesale fuel market shows prices climbing, but softer than the peaks of 2024. High inventories and OPEC+ decisions are keeping supply steady and manageable.

Using AI tools, you can capture regional spreads with minimal effort. The real margins come from unconventional moves. Let’s not just drive—let’s thrive.

Key Areas to Focus On:

  • Routing Optimization: Streamline from terminal to drop location.

  • Demand Forecasting: Keep your tanks filled accurately and efficiently.

  • Contract Alignment: Recognize when contract pricing isn’t your best available option.

  • Arbitrage Hustle: Predict the spread and leverage available supply opportunities (potential gains of up to $0.37/gal annually).

Don’t let technology intimidate you. Find partners who simplify it and stop settling for the easiest solution—aim for the most competitive option.

Who’s Winning with AI?

  • ExxonMobil: Increased Permian dispatch efficiency by 10-15%.

  • Valero: Using AI to optimize renewable blending and sidestep LCFS volatility.

  • YOU: Prosperous AI tools have reduced delivery errors by 20-50%, saving a major wholesaler $13M annually.

Digital Transformation = Human Desire + Competitive Necessity

Start viewing technology as your co-pilot. "Good enough" won’t cut it in this consolidating market.

Begin by evaluating your current position. Even investing in one key area above can yield a 25-40% improvement in that process for the year.

Ensure your technology vendor supports you fully—not just offloads technical headaches onto your team.

Pick up the phone and start a conversation about technology. It could become your competitive edge.

From the Big Players to You:

  • Majors: Exxon saves $10.7B annually; MPC uses AI-enhanced Enterprise Risk Management.

  • Mid-Tier: Intuit’s Quickbooks cloud solutions streamline daily operations.

  • Small Resellers: Prosperous AI helps wholesalers cut errors by 20-50% in dispatch and arbitrage operations.

Your Team + Tech = Your Competitive Edge

AI might be slick, but your customers stay loyal because of your personal touch. Here’s how you level up:

  • Skill Up: Access free AI courses through Prosperous AI or take advantage of vendor-specific training.

  • Link Up: Collaborate and learn from industry pros who are already experimenting.

  • Show Up: Call your clients just to talk. That’s the personal connection AI can’t replace.

Why It Matters: AI drives efficiency, but your personal touch retains clients.

—Mariano, CEO Prosperous AI

P.S. Not a user yet? Join the wholesale revolution with our exclusive $3,000 challenge. Gain full access to decision-driven AI, proven workflows, and actionable insights for Order Creation, Dispatch, Route Planning, and Arbitrage.

Get 30% off when choosing ANNUAL billing at sign-up.

Benefit from weekly company-specific AI demos, workshop replays, and office sit-ins!

[Get Started with a 15-Minute Demo »»»]